Leona Ailene Thomas

Leona Ailene Thomas was born on Wednesday, June 5, 1929, in Brunswick, Missouri. She was the daughter of George Alvin and Leva M. (Bumgardner) Buehler. Leona grew up in the Glasgow, Missouri area and moved to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas after her marriage. She lived elsewhere for several years, returning to Ottawa in the 1960's, where she made her home until her death on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at the age of seventy-seven years. She graduated from Glasgow High School with the class of 1947. For several years, Leona worked as a waitress at the L & L Restaurant and Lee's Downtowner, both in Ottawa. She was later a cook for nine years at the Mid-American Nutrition Center in Ottawa, retiring in 1991. Leona was a member of St. John's Evangelical Church of Hermann, Missouri. Leona enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lovingly devoted her life to her family. On July 19, 1947, Leona was united in marriage with Lester Leo Thomas in Glasgow, Missouri. He preceded her in death September 24, 1996. She is also preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Cathy Ann Thomas, Carolyn 'Susie' Thomas; and sister, Kathryn Aholt. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Debra Thomas of Butler, Missouri; daughter, Mary Lee Haworth of Tucson, Arizona, daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Bill Payne of Ottawa; sister, Linda Kirchman of Linwood, Nebraska; brother, Roy Buehler of Santa Rosa, California; seven grandchildren, Tammy Thomas, Rhonda Hess, Karen Stark, Kristi Shaner, Scott Payne, Debra Franklin, Thomas Allen Reyes; and twelve great-grandchildren. SERVICES: Graveside services will be held from Highland Cemetery in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 23, 2007. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Thomas from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Dengel & Son Mortuary, where family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Franklin County DARE Program, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.