Lorene Helen (Pelesky) Salmon

Lorene Helen (Pelesky) Salmon, 95, of Salina, KS, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026. The daughter of Charles and Helen Nemec Pelesky, Lorene was born on the family farm south of Narka, KS, on November 29, 1930.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Leona Smith; and brother, Bill Pelesky. She is survived by her husband, Ray Gene Salmon of over 72 years; children, David Ray Salmon (Marcella Salmon) and Debra Kay McGraw (David McGraw); grandchildren, Emily Salmon, Hanna Bennett, Andrew McGraw, Nate McGraw (Katherine Haug), and Lora McGraw (Eric Tallant); great-grandson, Cole Benzett; great-great-granddaughter, Anna Tallant; and many nieces and nephews.

Lorene attended Crescent School for eight years, walking to and from school every day. She then attended Narka Rural High School and graduated in 1948. She then attended Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina where she pursued secretarial studies. While attending Brown Mackie, Lorene lived with and worked for a local family in Salina for room and board. She then graduated with her degree in 1949 and worked for four years at Wyatt Manufacturing in Salina as an office manager.

In 1949, Lorene met Ray Gene Salmon at a dance in Hubbell, NE. Ray proposed to Lorene in 1951 prior to serving as a Special Agent Investigator in the Korean War. When he returned, they were married in Clyde, KS, on August 16, 1953.

Lorene and Ray's first home was in Holcomb, KS, where Ray worked as a teacher and then the school principal. Throughout her life, Lorene worked diligently to raise their two children while also being employed as a church and school secretary. Later in life, Lorene was a devoted grandmother and played a key role in raising her grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and the Good Neighbor Sams Campers. Lorene was a volunteer at the local food bank, Salina Regional Health Center, and numerous other civic events.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Salina, followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. The graveside committal service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 10, at Union Cemetery, Wayne, KS.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or the Salina Presbyterian Manor Employee Christmas Fund, care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.

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