Laura Marie Longbine (Ray) was born on June 9, 1935 in Douglas, Oklahoma, the first-born child of Clarence A. and Thelma I. C. (Gragert) Anderson.  Attending school in Conway Springs, Kansas most of her childhood, she transferred to Wellington High School and graduated valedictorian with the class of 1953.

On May 26, 1953, Laura married Harry Ellwood Longbine in Kingman, Kansas.  The couple lived in several towns throughout their married life, including Wichita, Wellington, and Mayfield, Kansas before settling in Harper, Kansas.  They were blessed with six children: Larry, Allan, John, Rebecca, Joel, and Daniel.  Harry passed away at home in 1992.

A stay-at-home mother until her youngest child started school, Laura then began working at Southwestern Bell, where she retired after 35 years of service.  Laura was a lifelong Christian and an active member of the Harper Christian Church.

At the age of 87 and after a long battle with heart failure complications, Laura passed away at her home in Harper on November 15, 2022.  Preceding Laura in death are her parents, Clarence and Thelma Anderson; husband, Harry Longbine; and siblings: Vera Finn, Harold Anderson, Forest Anderson, Virginia Anderson, and Connie Ray.  She is survived by her children: Larry Eugene Longbine of Wamego, Kansas, Allan Jay Longbine (Vicki) of Anthony, Kansas, John Alford Longbine of Argonia, Kansas, Rebecca Leigh Longbine (Coleman Gruenwald) of Sanger, Texas, Joel Patrick Longbine (Heather) of Haysville, Kansas, and Daniel Logan Longbine of Gypsum, Colorado; siblings: Dale Anderson of Cheney, Kansas, Norma Pearson of Wichita, Kansas, Anna Anderson of Wellington, Kansas; sister-in-law, Patricia Walker of Houston, Texas; grandchildren: Amy Longbine, Lukas Longbine, Nathan Longbine, Jennifer Longbine Kunz, Robyn Longbine Lange, Patrick Longbine, Sarah Longbine Treft, Lauren Longbine Cook, Randi Parrott, Aaron Parrott, Joel Longbine Jr, Terry Longbine, Johnny Longbine, and Danielle Longbine; twenty-nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Friends may view and register from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 21, 2022 at the Harper Christian Church with Pastor Ed Hughlett officiating.  Burial follows at the Harper Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Laura Longbine Memorial Fund (to help defray funeral expenses) and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058