Bernice Lorraine Landreth, 92, of Shawnee, KS, passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at Cass County Regional Medical Center, Harrisonville, MO. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 12th at 1:00 p.m. at Carnegie Village Independent Living Facility Meeting Room, 107 Bernard Drive, Belton, MO 64012.

Lorraine was born to Ida Josephine (Neightinger) and Herman J. Bregen on September 28, 1918 and grew up in Wakefield, KS along with her sisters, Hazel Darlyne (Cloutier) and Mildred (Wyss-Knueppel) and her brother, Herman Bregen, Jr., all of whom preceded her in death. Lorraine graduated from Wakefield High School in 1936. During her school years she played on the girls basketball and softball teams. Shortly after graduating high school, Lorraine and her sister, Mildred, were the nucleus of an outstanding town softball team. It was in Wakefield that she met and married Homer William Landreth, Jr., Station Agent for the Union Pacific Railroad. Homer and Lorraine were married on February 2, 1939. The railroad requirements for providing transportation during World War II required Homer and Lorraine to move often and on short notice from one location to another, sometimes living in railroad depots, more often living in hotels. It was during one of the moves that her first child was born. Because the move required a stay in a hotel room, a necessary baby crib was created by Lorraine using a dresser drawer and baby blankets.

Later years allowed Homer and Lorraine to establish long term residences in Salina KS, and finally in Shawnee KS, where Homer finished his railroad career retiring as Division Chief Dispatcher in 1978. Lorraine always worked to help provide for her family. She worked for a local photographer, retouching negatives to remove imperfections and enhance student's features in their class photographs. She later worked as a retail clerk for the Thriftway grocery store chain in Roeland Park, KS.

As an adult, Lorraine continued her athletic interests by playing on adult softball teams and learning to play golf. As a long time member of the St. Andrews GC Women's Golf Association in Overland Park, KS, her golfing prowess was illustrated by accomplishing the coveted hole in one shot at the age of 70. Possessing artistic talent, Lorraine was a gifted painter of ceramics, creating beautiful Christmas and other holiday decorations for her family and friends.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Homer W. Landreth and is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Landreth, Kansas City, MO, son, Austin Landreth and wife, Roberta, Belton MO, son, Homer W. Landreth III and wife, Vicki, Phoenix, Arizona and son, Russell Bregen Landreth, Olathe, KS. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Lori Curry (Landreth) and husband, Patrick, Michael Landreth and wife, Mari, Phoenix AZ, Jason Landreth and Joseph Landreth, as well as six great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews also survive her. And, as she was a dog lover, she is survived by seven grand dogs, stories of which would always bring a smile to her face.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Animal Haven, Inc., 9800 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66203. The family would like to thank the staffs at Carnegie Village Independent and Assisted living for the happy times and wonderful care they provided her for the last, nearly six years.