Laura Magdalene (Raile) Pugh, 90, peacefully passed away on February 22, 2025, in St.
Francis, Kansas.
Born on September 24, 1934, in Cheyenne County, KS. Laura spent her life dedicated to
her family, community, and the many children she cared for over the years. She was a
woman of hard work and unwavering commitment, whether assisting on the farm with her
husband Jess, cleaning houses, taking care of many people in need or working as a school
janitor. Her passion for serving others extended to her role as a cook at the Senior Citizen
Center and for numerous church functions. However, she was perhaps best known for her
time in the lunchrooms of both the elementary and high schools in St. Francis, where she
remembered and had stories about every child who passed through her lunchline.
Laura married the love of her life Jess Pugh on February 19th, 1950. They spent 35 years
farming together before moving into town.
Laura had a deep love for children—not only raising three of her own but also helping to
nurture many others in her community. She found joy in sharing stories and traditions with
younger generations and was well known for hosting fourth-grade girls for teatime, and her
aprons and the cherished tales about each apron.
Her hands were rarely idle; she spent countless hours embroidering tea towels, refinishing
antique furniture, and crafting beautiful trunks. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she
transformed her home into a magical wonderland filled with Christmas trees, villages, and
festive decorations that brought joy to all who visited.
Laura had an eye for treasures and could often be found scouring garage sales or browsing
the Methodist Thrift Store in search of beautiful crystal pieces, Depression glass, or other
unique finds. She was also an active member of several clubs—so much so that she once
joked she might be "clubbed to death!" Among her many affiliations were the Esther Circle,
Tuesday Club, and the Red Hatters Society.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Daryl) Nichols and son Billy (Sandy) Pugh;
grandchildren Ginger (Dan) Kriely, Amanda (Bill) Frank, Justin Meiries, Ryan (Star) Meiries,
Sara Emily (David) Reynolds, and Jesse James Pugh; great-grandchildren Riley Frank;
Justyce, Kaelynn, and JoJo Meiries; and Azure Meiries; as well as many nieces and
nephews. She is also survived by her siblings Sidney (Cheryl) Raile; Donna Zweygardt;
Dixie Burr; Linda (Dan) Brenn; and Stan (Myrna) Raile. Many nieces and nephews.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents Theodore and Laura Raile; stepmother
Thelma Raile; Her loving husband Jess Louis Pugh, beloved daughter Laura Louise
Meiries; and siblings Emma Brunswig and Larry Raile.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the children's section of the St.
Francis Public Library—a fitting tribute to Laura's lifelong love for nurturing young minds.
Laura's warmth, generosity, and dedication to those around her will be deeply missed by all
who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those whose lives she touched so dearly.