Charlene Elnor Taylor, 91, died Monday, January 24, 2011 at Clare Bridge in Wichita. She was born on July 21, 1919 in Greensburg, daughter of Charles and Fannie (Sieg) Einsel.

Charlene was raised a cattleman's daughter in Greensburg where she graduated from high school in 1937. She attended Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri and then Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she majored in Speech and Language Pathology. Because of the untimely death of her mother in 1938, she returned home and attended Wichita State, graduating in 1947.

On January 2, 1942, Charlene married Richard H. Taylor of Wichita. During his four years of service in the Army during World War II, she lived in Greensburg. After Richard's return, they moved to Wichita where their son, Charles was born. They moved to Coffeyville in 1948, where their sons Tom and David were born. Several years were spent raising their three boys on a 160 acre farm where Charlene's past and present happily merged. Her three sons have many wonderful memories of their family life spent on the farm.

In 1960, Richard and Charlene moved to Dodge City where Charlene was happy to be close to her roots. The couple were faithful members of St. Cornelius Episcopal Church and ardent supporters of every community activity from sports to the arts. Their home was their haven, and they opened it cheerfully to their many friends and their beloved family. Charlene was the consummate hostess. She offered charm and grace to anyone who entered her home.

Charlene is survived by three sons, Tom Taylor and wife Twyla of Dodge City, David G. Taylor of Dodge City, and Charles R. Taylor and wife Ann of Boise, Idaho; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, their infant son Richard Einsel Taylor, her parents, and her sister Louise.

Funeral service will be held at Saint Cornelius Episcopal Church in Dodge City on Friday, January 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Dennis Zimmerman presiding. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Greensburg. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City, on Thursday, January 27, 2011 from noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to St. Cornelius Episcopal Church, Hospice Care of Kansas or PEO Chapter D.Z. in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.