Leona Marie Oyster

Leona Marie Oyster, age 95, died Sunday, March 18, 2018, at her home near Paola. Leona Marie (Doherty) Oyster, daughter of Edward Doherty and Nina (Crees) Doherty, was born in Wagstaff, Kansas on November 10, 1922. Leona married Everett Oyster on August 17, 1945 and they resided on the family farm near Paola, Kansas for all their married life. They became the parents of two children. Leona attended school in the Paola/Osawatomie area until her father, a railroader, moved the family to western Kansas. Leona graduated from high school in Bison, Kansas with the class of 1940. Upon graduation, she moved to Paola, Kansas to attend Ursuline Academy, where she earned an elementary teaching credential. She taught in rural Miami county schools until her marriage. She resumed teaching in the rural schools in 1959. When the rural schools closed, Leona took a position teaching second grade in Paola and retired from that position in 1985. Leona and Everett joined the Plum Creek United Methodist Church soon after their marriage in 1945, and the church became the focal point for family activities. In addition to church duties, Leona raised a big garden every year and the family enjoyed the delicious foods she preserved each season. Other hobbies included reading, birdwatching, taking walks on the farm, traveling to visit grandchildren and other relatives, and getting together with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Everett; sister Nadine; stepmother Alice; half-sister Bernadette; half-brothers Edward, Wendall, Charles, Pat; and one niece Linda. She is survived by her daughter Shirley of rural Paola and son Ron and his wife Julielee of Longmont, CO; two granddaughters; one step grandson; three step great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army or Paola United Way.