LaTrelle Irene (O'Connor) King

LaTrelle Irene (O’Connor) King was born on November 12, 1936, to Frank James and Mabel (Winterringer) O’Connor in Sioux City, Iowa. She passed away on May 22, 2026, at her home in Wichita, Kansas, primarily due to a failing heart valve. She grew up in Coleridge, Nebraska, where she loved reading comics, listening to the radio, and playing with her pet rabbits. A lifelong lover of music, she played trumpet throughout high school and performed at many community events, including taps for Memorial Day and Labor Day ceremonies. She also proudly led the high school band as majorette, twirling her baton and guiding the parade.

LaTrelle attended Wayne State Teachers College, graduating in 1956. She first taught in a one‑room rural schoolhouse in northeastern Nebraska, where she poured her heart into her students. Later, while teaching in Norfolk, Nebraska, she was especially proud when her students won an award for their parade float depicting their classroom.

LaTrelle always admired her older brother, Donald Clair O’Connor, and in 1959 she followed him to Wichita, Kansas. Donald had become a mail carrier like their father, and LaTrelle planned to do the same. While waiting for her civil service test results, she grew bored and took a job as a legal secretary — a role she quickly grew to love and excelled in.

An avid bowler, LaTrelle joined a league where she met another Nebraskan, Fred Robert King. Sparks flew immediately. On their very first date, Fred told LaTrelle’s mother, Mabel, “I just want you to know, I’m going to marry your daughter.” He kept his word. They were married three months later, on November 18, 1961, at Fairmount Congregational Church in Wichita.

Together, Fred and LaTrelle raised three children — Lana, Robert, and Brian. LaTrelle was deeply involved in their lives, serving as room mother, Cub Scout leader, and Girl Scout leader. She attended every concert, game, field trip, and theatre production, cheering her children on with pride. The family enjoyed weekend fishing trips, summer vacations to visit relatives in Nebraska, traditional family dinners most nights, and gatherings for nearly every holiday. Each Christmas, someone would say they should “do less next year,” yet every year the food and gifts were generous — not as a show of material things, but as an expression of their parents’ love of family time and making memories.

After Fred’s passing in 1982, LaTrelle returned to the workforce and became a successful real estate professional, drawing on her earlier experience as a legal secretary. Her tenacity, resilience, and strong upbringing carried her through the abrupt transition from homemaker and wife to single parent and full‑time career woman. As with everything she undertook, she excelled — earning her sales license and, two years later, moving into a broker’s role. Her career continued until Brian asked her to put on her “grandmother hat” full‑time. She happily retired and became diaper changer, stroller driver, daycare instructor, art teacher, chauffeur, friend, and confidant to her granddaughters, Eden Grace and Lucia Love King. Though the girls sometimes ran her ragged, these were some of the happiest years of her life.

Another of LaTrelle’s great loves in life was her Sheltie dogs. When Lana and Robert were young, the family decided to get a dog. LaTrelle had grown up watching the beautiful Lassie on TV, and soon Kandy — a small, timid Sheltie — joined the family. Kandy (officially King’s Kandy Kane) hid in her doghouse for the first couple of days until LaTrelle patiently convinced her it was safe to come out and join the family. Kandy was eventually followed by Missy and Maverick, Tucker and Chase, and in her last few years, the shy and beautiful Scout.

LaTrelle always had a kind word for everyone.  At the same time, she had a way of setting expectations without more than a few words.  She made you want to live up to those expectations although she rarely shared any criticism if you didn’t. She shared her love of photography, sewing, card games, music, crafts, DIY projects, old TV shows, holiday traditions, and homemade food with family and friends. Her creativity, warmth, and gentle humor touched everyone who knew her.

LaTrelle — mother, grandmother, and friend — will be deeply missed. We are grateful for all she gave and for the love she shared so genuinely.

LaTrelle is survived by her three children: Lana Anthis (Dennis Erickson) of Wichita, Kansas; Rob (Cynthia) King of Salem, Oregon; and Brian King of Wichita, Kansas. She is also survived by her beloved granddaughters, Eden King and Lucia King of Wichita, Kansas as well as her two “bonus daughters” Laura Bair of Wichita, Kansas and Angie Herbert of Benton, Kansas.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Robert King; her parents, Frank James O’Connor and Mabel (Winterringer) O’Connor; and her brother, Donald Clair O’Connor.

The family greatly appreciates the services of Phoenix Home Hospice for caring for LaTrelle at the end of her life.

The family invites you to a casual gathering and viewing at Downing & Lahey Mortuary – East Chapel, 6555 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206, on May 28, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This will be a come‑and‑go event. Cards are appreciated in lieu of flowers and can be sent in care of Downing & Lahey.

A short graveside service will be held Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. All are welcome to attend.