Lorraine Esther (Bender) Mai, 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, September 12, 2016, at the Golden Living Center in Wilson, Kansas.

Lorraine was born December 4, 1925, in Russell, Kansas.  She was one of three children born to George M. and Marie (Herdt) Bender.  She grew up in the Russell area and attended the Bender Hill country school through the eighth grade.  She was a graduate of Russell High School and Brown Mackie Business School.  During WWII, she worked as a secretary for the Walker Air Base.

Lorraine was united in marriage to Elmer D. Mai on February 16, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell.  This union was blessed with two sons; Stephen and Gordon.  They made their home on a farm west of Russell.  Elmer preceded her in death on November 5, 2008.

Lorraine was a devoted farmer’s wife and homemaker.  Later in life, she worked as a checker for C.O. Mammals and worked at Myers Furniture Store.  She was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church choir, church Circle, and was a Sunday School teacher for over 10 years.  She was a life member of the Russell American Legion Post 99 Ladies Auxiliary.  She was a project leader for 4H and was active with the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary.  She enjoyed knitting and cooking.  She supplied many of the noodles for the Hospital Soup Suppers for many years.

Surviving family include her son Gordon Mai of Wilson, Kansas; sister, Velma Beeman of Russell, Kansas; and two nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Elmer, son, Stephen Mai and brother, Arvin Bender.

Celebration of Lorraine’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M.  Friday, September 16, 2016, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russell.  Burial will follow at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery of Russell.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Memorials have been established with St. John’s Lutheran Church or Russell American Legion Post 99 Ladies Auxiliary.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.