Lois Elaine Deschner
Lois Elaine Deschner, 88 year old long time Big Cabin-Vinita area resident passed away on September 11, 2023, at Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City.
Elaine was born May 8, 1935, in Skiddy, Kansas to Andrew and Helen (Ebbutt) Olson. She graduated from Council Grove High School in 1953. Elaine then attended Kansas State University for three years where she was active in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. College is where she met the man of her dreams Norval D Deschner. Norval graduated from Kansas State University in the Spring of 1956 and was scheduled by the US Army to be sent to Tokyo Japan. Upon completion of his paperwork, he indicated that he was married and would be taking a wife with him to Japan. On July 8, 1956, Norval and Elaine were united in marriage at the Morris County Court House. While living in Japan the family doubled with the birth of their twin daughters, Kim Jolene Deschner, and Sue Kathlene Deschner. The family returned to the states after the Korean Conflict. They purchased a piece of land next to Elaine’s parents and they all helped operate the ranch. In 1963 Ann Helen Deschner was born into the family. Norval took a job with Black Watch Farms as Manager in Big Cabin, Oklahoma where they made their home beginning in 1967. Elaine kept the cattle records and worked alongside Norval on all the ranches.
Elaine showed numerous home grown Angus Champions at the county fair and in prestigious state and national competitions. Her love of cattle helped organize the heifer show at the Craig County Spring Livestock Show. She was also very involved in many local and state 4-H and FFA activities. One of Elaines proudest moments was the opening of the Craig County Community Center. Elaine was a member of the Craig County Community Improvement Association (CCCIA) which was instrumental in the building of the Community Center. She always said she would never see it built in her lifetime, but it was opened to the public in 2012. Elaine was also involved in the Craig County Republicans, Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, Northeast Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, and an avid Kansas State University fan.
Elaine’s cattle ranching background runs deep in her family heritage. Elaine’s grandfather William Ebbutt was inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2012 and in 2017 her parents Andy & Helen Olson were inducted as well. All were recognized for their contribution in the Ranch/Cattlemen Category of the hall of fame.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Olson in 2004 and Helen (Ebbutt) Olson in 1962, husband Norval Deschner in 1998, daughters, Kim Jolene Deschner in 1980, and Sue Kathlene Deschner in 1969.
The family includes her daughter Ann Crispin and husband Rene of Putnam, Oklahoma, grandchildren, Shay Hartness of Okmulgee, Jenna Page and husband Easton of Cordell, great-grandchildren, Rawlings and Chloe Page, half-sister, Mandi Stewart, and husband Mark of Arkansas.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita. The graveside service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Four Mile Cemetery near Council Grove, Kansas, Greg Highsmith will officiate. Friends may donate to the Craig County Community Center, P. O. Box 381, Vinita, OK 74301. Online condolences may be made at www. highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter- Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita.