Lora Woolsey Schlaefer

MADISON- Lora Woolsey Schlaefer, 94, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. She was born on Oct. 17, 1919 on a train between Belvedere and Rockford, Ill., and grew up in Rockford. After attending Blackburn College and receiving a degree in dietetics from Iowa State University, she worked in Kansas City, Missouri, New York, New York and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin where she met Orvin J. Schlaefer. They were married on Oct. 17, 1946. In 1951, she and Orvin moved to Madison with their son, John, so that Orvin could attend the University. Lora worked as a dietician at Kronsage Hall on campus and was a frequent guest on the homemaker's program on WHA. Son, Tom, and daughter, Mary, were born in Madison. Lora was very active in the community, serving on the Executive Committee of Friends of Urban League that founded Madison Urban League in the 1960s, and as one of the founders, through the Madison Friends Meeting, of Quaker Housing, Inc. a provider of housing for the low-income elderly. She was the first executive director of Quaker Housing, a post she held for eleven years. During that time she also served on the Housing Committee of Madison's Equal Opportunities Commission. Later in life, Lora was an R.S.V.P volunteer for twenty-two years at the Madison Police Department. In addition, she volunteered in many political campaigns during her life, and was an active advocate for peace and social justice. She was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, Mary Frances (Graeff) Woolsey and Eugene Hays Woolsey, and by her husband, Orvin. She is survived by sons, John Schlaefer of Madison and Tom Schlaefer (Cindy)of Janesville, daughter, Mary Schlaefer (Beth), daughter-in-law, Donna Kirschenmann, grandsons, David Schlaefer and Todd Schlaefer, all of Madison, and sister (in-law), Dorothy Ristow (Rudy) of Neenah. Burial will occur during a private family gathering. A Memorial service and reception will be held at the FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, 1704 Roberts Court, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. Memorials may be sent to Quaker Housing, Inc., 2110 Fisher Street, Suite 1, Madison, WI 53713, or the Urban League of Greater Madison, 2222 S. Park Street, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53713. The family thanks Lora’s many friends in the Madison Police and Fire Departments and at Michelangelo’s, Fair Trade, and Starbuck’s coffeehouses for their friendship and kindness to Lora, which enriched her life for many years and made it possible for her to remain a vital part of the Madison Community well into her 90s. The family also thanks the staff at BrightStar, Agrace HospiceCare, and Covenant Oaks at Oakwood Village, who provided her with excellent care in recent years. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420