Leota Kuenzi

L eota Lavaughn (Lange) Kuenzi, 96, was born November 6, 1917 southwest of Bern, Kansas the only child of August and Elva (Ehrsam) Lange and passed away March 31, 2014 at 5:40 a.m.  She was born in the same home as her mother.

Leota attended Ehrsam School, District 64, then the Bern High School and graduated in 1936.  She married Albert Kuenzi on January 28, 1938 in Hiawatha.  They celebrated 56 years of marriage in January of 1994.  Albert passed away June 1994 and a daughter, Kay, died in infancy in 1944.

She is survived by three children, Jack (Ardena) of Bern, Ravae (Ray) Murdock of Silver Lake and LaVonne (Jerry) Wilson of Topeka; 5 grandsons, Brent, Blaine, Bruce and Creston Kuenzi and Brad Wilson; 3 granddaughters, Kim Zielsdorf, Vonita Lewis and Nichole Crump; 16 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

Leota was active in the Methodist Church, Helping Hands Sunday School Class and the Better Homes Unit for 20 years.

She worked many jobs through the years including Big B Super Market, IGA and Bern Meat Locker; all as a meat wrapper, helping in school lunch room and was a substitute postal carrier.

Hobbies were sewing, quilting, embroidery and she loved to tend her garden and flowers.  She always said wore out her knees dancing and also enjoyed playing cards.

Funeral service is Friday, April 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bern Methodist Church.  A visitation will be from 9:30 to service time at the church.  The interment will be made in the Bern Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Bern Methodist Church sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Sabetha, Kansas.