Notable Births & Deaths for Topeka ...

Below is our list of notable people who were born, died or were buried in the area surrounding Topeka. Please note that while we are collecting data on an ongoing basis, it's a big task and it's unlikely that our list will ever be more than a sample.

• Annette Bening     (Oscar nominated actress)
  • Born: Annette Carol Bening
  • She was born in Topeka on May 29, 1958 (a Thursday)
• William S. Burroughs     (Author)
  • He was born in Saint Louis (MO) on February 5, 1914 (a Thursday) and died in Lawrence (KS) on August 2, 1997 (a Saturday) at the age of 83. He is buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery (Saint Louis City, Missouri).
  • Lawrence is located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the east of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: William S. Burroughs<1>
• Goldie Colwell     (Actress)
  • Full name: Goldie Frances Colwell
  • She was born in Tecumseh (KS) on January 29, 1889 (a Tueday) and died in Marina del Rey (CA) on July 27, 1982 (a Tueday) at the age of 93. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) (Los Angeles County, California).
  • Tecumseh is located 5 miles [8 km] to the east of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Goldie Colwell<1>
• John Steuart Curry     (Painter, muralist)
  • He was born in Dunavant (KS) on November 14, 1897 (a Sunday) and died in Madison (WI) on August 29, 1946 (a Thursday) at the age of 48. He is buried at Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery (Jefferson County, Kansas).
  • Dunavant is located 25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: John Steuart Curry<1>
• Elmer G. Dyer     (Cinematographer)
  • He was born in Lawrence (KS) on August 24, 1892 (a Wednesday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on February 8, 1970 (a Sunday) at the age of 77. He is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Los Angeles County, California).
  • Lawrence is located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the east of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Elmer G. Dyer<1>
• Erin Brockovich     (Oscar nominated actress, activist)
  • Born: Erin Pattee
  • She was born in Lawrence (KS) on June 22, 1960 (a Wednesday)
  • Lawrence is located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the east of Topeka.
• Prentice Gautt     (Professional football)
  • He was born in Oklahoma City (OK) on February 8, 1938 (a Tueday) and died in Lawrence (KS) on March 17, 2005 (a Thursday) at the age of 67. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery (Douglas County, Kansas).
  • Lawrence is located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the east of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Prentice Gautt<1>
• Orval Leroy Grove     (Major League Baseball)
  • He was born in Mineral Springs (KS) on August 25, 1919 (a Monday) and died in Carmichael (CA) on April 20, 1992 (a Monday) at the age of 72. He is buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Sacramento County, California).
  • Mineral Springs is located 14 miles [22.5 km] to the south of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Orval Leroy Grove<1>
• Ralph George 'Major' Houk     (Major League Baseball)
  • He was born in Lawrence (KS) on August 9, 1919 (a Saturday) and died in Winter Haven (FL) on July 21, 2010 (a Wednesday) at the age of 90. He is buried at Rolling Hills Cemetery (Polk County, Florida).
  • Lawrence is located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the east of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Ralph George 'Major' Houk<1>
• Guy G. McFadden     (1895/08/24:1895/08/28)
  • He was born in Topeka on September 3, 1872 (a Tueday) and died in Topeka on March 10, 1911 (a Friday) at the age of 38. He is buried at Topeka Cemetery (Shawnee County, Kansas).
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Guy G. McFadden<1>
• Edwyn Robert Owen     (Olympic Gold Medalist)
  • He was born in Saint Louis Park (MN) on June 8, 1936 (a Monday) and died in Topeka on October 5, 2007 (a Friday) at the age of 71. He is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery (Shawnee County, Kansas).
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Edwyn Robert Owen<1>
• Ruth Robinson     (Actress)
  • Born: Ruth Woodall
  • She was born in Topeka on August 18, 1887 (a Thursday) and died in Los Angeles (CA) on March 17, 1966 (a Thursday) at the age of 78. She is buried at Valhalla Memorial Park (Los Angeles County, California).
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Ruth Robinson<1>
• Lucy Hobbs Taylor     (Medical pioneer)
  • She was born in Constable (NY) on March 14, 1833 (a Thursday) and died in Lawrence (KS) on October 3, 1910 (a Monday) at the age of 77. She is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery (Douglas County, Kansas).
  • Lawrence is located 22 miles [35.4 km] to the east of Topeka.
  • Find-A-Grave Memorial: Lucy Hobbs Taylor<1>

Off-the-Road Links ...

The official website for Topeka: www.topeka.org/

The official website for Shawnee County: www.co.shawnee.ks.us/

The official website for State of Kansas: https://portal.kansas.gov/