Loretta Carolyn King Thurman, 81, of Winfield, Kansas died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Loretta was born in Winfield to John William and Julia "Lulu" Smith on March 5, 1939. With the exception of a handful of years spent living in Georgia and Oklahoma, she was a life-long resident of Winfield. In 1960, she married Wendell Lee King who preceded her in death in 1993. The couple raised four children, Debra Lee (deceased), Wendy Louise of Oklahoma City, Christopher Lee of Burlington, Iowa, and Brian William of Clarksville, Tennessee. Loretta was blessed with six grandchildren.

Loretta worked in public service most of her life as a nurse and supervisor at the Winfield State Hospital & Training Center and then the Wichita SRS. She enjoyed music, sewing, crocheting, and live theatre. Loretta acted in several Winfield Community Theatre productions and spent countless hours designing and sewing costumes for the Community Theatre as well as Southwestern College's summer dinner theatre, "Horsefeathers and Applesauce".

Loretta will be cremated, consistent with her wishes, with interment at Highland Cemetery in Winfield. Due to COVID precautions, no services are planned. Miles Funeral Service in Winfield is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial has been established with the Winfield Community Theatre. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.