Louise S. Gallion

Louise Slyter Gallion, 90 of Kansas City, MO, died on Sunday afternoon, April 11th at her home after a long fight with pulmonary fibrosis. She was surrounded by a circle of love from her family; many were present in her last few days. Louise was born Ellen Louise Slyter to Roy and Marie (Bone) Slyter of the Pony Corner area of Fontana, Kansas. She grew up on farms in the Great Depression where well water, party-line phones and wringer washers were common. The family did not have running water or electricity until Louise was in junior high school. Louise was a solitary child and a tomboy who enjoyed exploring the great outdoors. She was happy with farm life and loved caring for the animals. That explains her prized collection of ceramic and stuffed pigs. The family moved to rural Paola in 1938 where Louise attended school in one-room schoolhouses for the first eight years of her education. Her family lived on several different farms including one by Hillsdale Lake until Louise was 18. Both sets of her grandparents lived nearby, and they were frequent visitors. Gas was rationed when Louise was in high school, so she lived in town during the week to attend school. No strangers to hardship, her parents worked at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in DeSoto while also keeping up the family farm. Starting at age 14 and during her high school years, Louise worked for Coker’s Variety Store, a five-and-dime on the Paola Square. She graduated from Paola High School in 1948. She was active in high school, writing and editing for the school newspaper and yearbook. She was a member of glee club, pep club, and drama club. Louise received awards for typing and shorthand that served her well in the years to come. After graduation, Louise moved to Austin, Texas. Her paternal grandfather wanted her to go to insurance school and help him in his “gentleman’s farmer” business, but a graduation present from her parents sent her to Texas to visit her sister Betty who was married and living there. Louise decided to move to Austin and worked for a department store as a bookkeeper. She took the Civil Service Exam and started as a clerk at Bergstrom Air Force Base. In Austin at the Top Hat Club, Louise met Army officer Richard Rusk, fell in love, and got married in 1952. They enjoyed traveling overseas; she liked Rome and Berchtesgaden which was an integral part of the U.S. Armed Forces Recreation Centers. Four children were born to their union, on four different Army bases: Rachel at Bamberg, Germany; Ramona, Fort Riley, KS; Rebecca, Fort Bragg, NC; and Randy, Fort Monmouth, NJ. Louise was not fond of Army life with the constant moving and strict regulations and an often-absent husband. She longed to be closer to her parents and Dick’s parents and moved back to Kansas City after their divorce in 1960. She raised four children on her own living in Ruskin Heights. Louise joined a local bowling league and made lifetime friends. She worked hard to provide her children with better housing and Symington Elementary School. Her parents helped by buying winter clothes for the children, and she and her mother would get together to sew most of the other outfits. While looking to buy a used car, Louise met the love of her life, William “Ben” Gallion. They were married in Oklahoma in 1962 and lived in Kansas City, MO. To their union, William Benjamin Gallion was born in 1963. Ben was a successful car salesman, and Louise was able to reduce to part-time work while raising her five children. They moved to a new home and were happy. With kids in school and familial costs rising, Louise went back to full-time work. She was hired as a clerk typist/secretary for the U.S. General Services Administration, an independent agency of government that helps manage and support federal agencies. She and Ben bought retirement property at Holiday Island in Arkansas in 1983 and took frequent trips there. They also enjoyed travel to Eureka Springs, Eagle Rock, and Branson. A year later her husband was diagnosed with colon cancer and Louise knew she had to make a career move. “I knew the writing was on the wall, and I had to do something better and make more money,” she said. “Ben was getting sick, and he encouraged me to take that big step. I was already writing reports for the guys and I knew all about it.” Louise took the exam for Quality Assurance Specialist, passed, and got the traditionally male job that also included some regional travel plus a government car. Louise rose to this challenge and enjoyed working with agencies like the Federation of the Blind and taking training trips to Fort Worth, Texas. Her husband Ben and her father Roy both died in 1985. They must have spoken to someone in heaven about the Royals winning the World Series which they did that year. Going to KC baseball’s Opening Day was a family tradition. In the years following the death of her husband, she kept busy with her work and babysitting her local grandchildren. She spent many hours cheering all her grandchildren on in sports and life and said they were her joy. While at GSA, Louise learned statistical procedures, calibration systems, and manufacturing production methods. She noted that she used a computer for the first time on December 13, 1990. Louise received many performance awards and outstanding ratings for monitoring and inspecting products and processes for government contracts. Louise started as a clerk/typist moved to secretary, and she then advanced to Lead Quality Assurance Specialist. She worked for four government agencies: the Public Health Service, the Department of the Air Force, the Veterans Administration, and then 28 years at the GSA to close out her career. She retired at the end of 1994. “With God’s help, I was able to retire ten years after Ben died”, she said. Her promotion and exceptional work inspired and encouraged her daughters and sons. Louise is a role model for her children and their children about how women can succeed in male-dominated professions. She was a champion and coach to her kids and their diverse careers. She nurtured an administrator, a scientist, a designer, a pilot, a teacher, and a journalist. Her resilience and work ethic guided the way to a brighter future. Louise became a member of Hickman Mills Community Christian Church on March 6, 1983 and served a few years on the Board of Directors. Easter services were her favorite. In the early nineties, she met Ben Ervin at their church, and they remained close until his death in 2010. Her later days were filled with reading, daily devotionals, puzzles, and country music. She loved road trips and took a big one to Houston for her sister’s 90th birthday in 2017. She made many visits to her children’s homes. Louise lived her final year at Kingswood Retirement Community in independent living and was settling in when Covid-19 hit. Family, faith, and her country were most important. Louise was fierce about her independence and ability to care for herself. She was meticulous about record keeping and balanced her own accounts. She liked donuts, margaritas with Mexican food, and a medium rare steak. She was a wonderful cook. Queen of the laundry room, she always said the washerwoman knew everything. She had a sharp wit, quick laugh and was good with money. If you played cards with her, you could expect to be nicely beaten. Although born in Kansas, she could be as stubborn as a Missouri mule. Louise was proud to be an American; her family has been in Kansas since the 1860s. She gave to many charities and wanted lots of flowers for her funeral. On her 90th birthday last October, her children and relatives gathered for what Louise said was the best party of her life. Her authentic joy and zest were still in her heart and mind. She leaves a legacy of lessons and love that will be remembered for generations to come. Louise will be greatly missed and always remembered for her spunk and spirit. She is survived by her children: Rachel (Brian) Kaslaitis, Eudora, KS; Ramona (Robert) Kessel, Greenbelt, MD; Rebecca Rusk Lim, Atlanta, GA; Randy (Laurie) Rusk, Exeter, RI; Ben Gallion, San Francisco, CA; Pamala (Edwin) Watson, Lee’s Summit, MO; her grandchildren: Austin (Carrie) Roberts, Manhattan, KS; Todd Roberts, Eudora, KS; Sarah Kessel, Washington, DC; Ellen Kessel, Portland, OR; Marie (Matt) Lim Carroll, Denver, CO; Xander Lim, Atlanta, GA ; Olivia Lim, Denver, CO; Roy Rusk, Exeter, RI; Ellie Rusk, Exeter, RI; Zachary Watson, Lee’s Summit, MO; and her great-grandsons: Carl Roberts, Manhattan, KS and Lawrence Carroll, Denver, CO. She leaves many nieces and nephews and friends. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Betty Spindle and her husband Ben. Encompass Hospice was a great help to Louise in her final months. Cremation and arrangements are by Dengel & Son, Paola, KS. The visitation and memorial service will be held Saturday May 15, with the visitation at 10 am followed by a celebration of life at 11:30 am at the Dengel & Son’s Chapel, 305 N Pearl Street in Paola. Memorials can be sent to the Hickman Mills Community Christian Church, 5809 E Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64134.