Colene S. Slawson DeHoff

Colene S. Slawson DeHoff, 89, Lawrence, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living. She was born June 22, 1930 in Kansas City, Kansas to Raymond Slawson and Lillian Hutchinson Slawson.

She attended school in Kansas City until her senior year. She graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1947.

She married Alvis L. “Pete” DeHoff in 1950. He died in 1996. She later married Clarence E. “Gene” Botts who died in 2014.

Attended Kansas University receiving her Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees.

She spent 36 years working for Tonganoxie school system as a teacher and administrator until she retired in 1992.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Kenneth and Gary Slawson; and sisters, Rita Slawson Dickinson and Rachel Slawson Hollingsworth.

She is survived by her two children, Bill DeHoff and wife, Ginger of De Soto, KS; Susan Andrews and husband, Larry of Lawrence, KS; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers, David Slawson, Ed Slawson and Lloyd Slawson, and one sister Barbara Say, and by three stepchildren, Dennis Botts, Denise Dobbs and Deana Grace and their families and four of Gene’s stepchildren, Sharon Scherer, Louis White, Harold Anderson and Pam Anderson.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association to be used for the Oncology Department and Elara Caring Hospice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A private immediate family graveside service will be held at a later date.

10 Condolences

  1. Sharon Scherer on October 4, 2019 at 8:47 am

    Our family is deeply sadden at the loss of Colene. She was a beautiful soul that we honored as a “special” friend to our family. I personally will miss our weekly educational/historical, inspirational, FUN and loving chats. Her shoulders were never too small to listen to our emotional worries. The teacher in her, always inspired everyone around her that nothing was too big to accomplish. Now, if we could walk away with half of her organizational skills, we would be especially blessed!
    Thank you God for including Colene in our lives. She will be greatly missed.
    Sharon & David Scherer
    Bryan, Toni, Ella & Nathan Scherer
    Shelly, Drew & Trevor Langston



  2. Louise White on October 4, 2019 at 10:17 am

    Louise White
    My heart is heavy and deeply sadden at the loss of such a special, gifted persons. She was so sweet and caring.
    I’ll remember all the fun, crazy times we had together. The long talks we shared. I’m so honored she was apart of my life. I’m going to miss her. Both Coleen and Gene held a special spot in my heart. If only all stepchildren could be as fortunate and blessed as I was.



  3. Gloria Courtwright on October 4, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. She and my mom, Martha Courtwright, worked together at the grade school. Our mom passed last week. I’m sure they’re up there catching up and watching over us. Hugs to you all.



  4. Pamela Anderson-Ong on October 4, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    I will miss you so much Colene
    .you have bexomee a big part od my life. I considere you more than a friend. I told everyone you were my step mom. You have alway been there for me. I hope i was there enough for you. I love you and i miss you so much.



  5. richard arlen haden on October 4, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    So sad for the loss of you mother , Bill, I remember as classmates we were in 8th grade and high school freshmen and spending time at your house fun times and fond memories , with your mom & dad .



  6. Cindy Gress on October 4, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    I got the pleasure of becoming friends in the last few years thru my husband John whom she had been one of his teachers. We attended some Kansas University Woman’s club meetings together. I was always impressed with how good her memory was. She could always tell us the details of past events and people in Tonganoxie. Thanks for the friendship Colene. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.



  7. Terry & Kay Campbell on October 5, 2019 at 7:13 am

    Susan, Larry, Bill, Ginger & Families,

    So sorry to learn of Colleen’s passing. She was a wonderful individual with a great sense of humor and enormous patience. I know she was endeared by many but none more than the THS Class of ’65 who most went through 7th and 8th Grades with Mrs. DeHoff. The educational system at Tongie was fortunate to have her as a teacher and administrator.



  8. angela lenahan on October 6, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    So sorry for your loss, she will always be an important part of my grade school memories.



  9. Jeanne Doege Mills on October 8, 2019 at 10:21 am

    I will dearly miss Colene. We visited by phone regularly and used to meet for lunch. She was a dear person who made very valuable contributions in this world. We send our sympathy to family and friends. Jeanne Doege Mills



  10. Amy Baker on November 6, 2019 at 9:40 am

    I am so sorry to learn of Colene’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with her when she came to Breckenridge to see our family. My mother was Janet (Guffey) Greenwood, and she had so many wonderful memories of the times they spent together. Please accept my deepest heartfelt sympathy for your loss.



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