Ethel Larue Folger O'Connor

Ethel LaRue Ticer Folger O’Connor, 82, died August 25 at home, surrounded by family and love. She was born July 23, 1938, to Walter and LaRue Whitlow Ticer in Wichita, Kansas. She was a loving older sister to her brother Marvin, who died in 1988. Ethel graduated from Wichita High School East in 1956 and was a National Merit Scholar. She and Wiley Folger wed in 1958 and were married 48 years when he died in 2006. She graduated from the University of Wichita in 1961 and taught high school English after graduation.

She lived in Wichita, Kansas; East Dubuque, Illinois; Indianapolis; Memphis, and São Paulo, Brazil, before settling in Carmel, Indiana, for the remainder of her life. She is survived by her second husband, Michael P. O’Connor; children Beth Folger LaPlante and John Folger and his wife, Rhonda; her grandchildren: David and Sharon Folger and Emma, Chloe, and Chase LaPlante; and nieces and nephews.

Ethel was a passionate and active supporter of education, women’s rights, voting rights, the Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters, libraries, and through her letter writing, the post office. She was an avid reader and a crossword ace, who did the New York Times puzzle daily in ink. She was a lifelong church goer and spiritual thinker. She was witty, kind, and full of sass. She lived life without regret, fully devoted to her family and her community.

A celebration of Ethel’s life will take place at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite) on September 12, with visitation from 10 to 12 and a service at noon. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to a food bank or school district of your choice or to the Indianapolis Children’s Bureau.

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