Lela Mae Santarpia

Lela Mae (Nichols) Santarpia, age 99 and 7 months of Ottawa, Kansas passed away peacefully on December 25, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30am, Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa, Kansas.

The Rosary will be said at 10:00am, prior to mass.

A Vigil for the deceased will be held at 9:00am prior to the rosary.

Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas,

Lela Mae was born on May 7, 1925, in Wellsville, Kansas. The daughter of Lee Calvin and Areta Mae (Learnard) Nichols. She was raised in Wellsville until the family moved to Ottawa in 1932.

She attended and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1944 and then attended Ottawa University.

In her early years she worked for her parents at their restaurant, Lee’s Café, where she baked homemade pies. She averaged 35 pies a day, for 15 years, which brings the overall total to 191,000 pies. This is also where she met her future husband, and love of her life George Santarpia.

On Monday, September 17th,1945, Lela Mae was united in Marriage with George Santarpia in Ottawa, Kansas. Together the couple had 3 children, Craig, Mary Beth, and Carol Ann.

She worked for 30 years at the First National Bank in Ottawa. She made many friends in her years there and made so many memories with them. She retired in June of1990.

Her life revolved around her family and her community. She was a scout leader for Brownie Scouts and a parent leader for the kids Clover Leaf 4H Club. She was an avid bowler in the Bowling League. She was also a member of the Alter Guild and Sacred Heart PTO as acting Chairman. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women (BPW) where she served as president, and in 1985 she was instrumental starting PRIDE. In 1997 she was a part of a committee and was a very strong advocate of what was known as the Mayors Christmas Tree lighting. The tradition is still going strong today but known as the downtown Christmas Tree lighting. She was a long-time member of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and served as an Ambassador Chairman. She served on the Ransom Memorial Hospital board of trustees. Also, a member of the RMH Auxiliary where she served as president for a time. She was recognized as Woman of the Year in 2014 and was recognized for 15 years of service as a volunteer. She continued to be a volunteer until the age of 93.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Areta Nichols, her beloved husband Geroge Santarpia, Son in Law Rex A. Bowling, Sister Bessie Lee Beaman, Brother-in-Law Warren Beaman, Sister Elizabeth “Liz” Page, and Brother-in-Law Harlan Page.

She is survived by son Craig and his wife, Peggy of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Daughters Mary Beth Bowling and Carol Ann Lantis both of Ottawa. Grandchildren Joshua Santarpia (Danielle), Blaine Bowling, Ryan Bowling (Megan), Paul Lantis (Jessica), Leigh Ann Lantis-Nyquist, Step Grandson Daren Hogelin. Her Great Grandchildren Chris Santarpia, Emi (Ryan) Gentry, George Santarpia, Joe (Mallori) Lantis, Lucy Moore, S. Calvin Lantis, Kate Bowling, Emma Bowling, Matt Hogelin and Ashlee (Luke) Donovan. She was also blessed with 6 Great-Great Grandchildren who she was able to know and love. She has many other extended family members and many close friends.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. 

 To share your memories of Lela Mae or to send a special condolence message to her family, please visit the guestbook below. 66067.