Clara Louise Elkins

Clara Elkins of Brookdale Senior Living, Emporia, Kansas died June 29, 2016 at the age of 90. Clara Louise Watson was born December 18, 1925 in Kingman, Kansas, the second daughter of Carl C and Esther Rector Watson. She graduated high school in Aline, Oklahoma. After graduation – still at the age of 17 – Clara left for Washington DC to work at the War Finance Division of the Treasury Department. While there, Clara married her high school sweetheart, Jack Elkins who was on a 60-hr pass from the Navy.

Clara always enjoyed playing cards and found a special joy and many friends playing Duplicate Bridge on Tuesday nights. One of her proudest moments was when she obtained her Life Master designation. Another special moment was being seen on the Graves Drug commercial with other Bridge friends.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Karlene Landowski, son Brad Elkins and his wife, Alice, all of Emporia; four grandchildren: Tad Landowski and wife Holly of Keller, Texas, Katie Daugherty and husband Dan of Yuma, Arizona, Kathryn Elkins of Edwardsville, Kansas, and Jennifer Duncan and husband Matthew of Kansas City, Kansas; great grandsons, Andrew Landowski, Collin Landowski, Taylor Landowski and Hudson Duncan. Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Glenda Champion, her husband Jack, son Jack, Jr. (JD) and son-in-law Tom Landowski.

Cremation is planned, with a memorial service at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Memorial contributions to Hand in Hand Hospice or the Buck Animal Welfare Fund can be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara Louise Elkins, please visit our flower store.