Leota Joanna (Hays) Horning 96, was born February 1, 1922 in Gaylord, KS and passed away May 28, 2018 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital following a stroke. Leota was born on the family farm southwest of Gaylord; the daughter of Harry and Anna Hays. She was the youngest of seven children, all of whom preceded her in death.
Leota attended a country school three quarters of a mile from the family farm and later graduated from the Gaylord High School graduating in May of 1940. She married Richard Horning on October 24, 1941. While Richard served his country during WW II, Leota initially remained in Gaylord working as a telephone operator but later left for California to work in an aircraft assembly plant to help the war effort. After Richard returned from the war, Leota spent the next fifty plus years as a dedicated farm wife helping her husband raise crops, cattle and kids. Hers was a life well lived as a servant first to her family then to others.
Leota loved to work in her flower gardens. She also loved to cook and spent time with her grand children teaching them the art of baking. Leota enjoyed games and entertaining numerous friends, neighbors and family members as guests in her home and often hosted card parties on Sunday evenings.
Leota was a life-time member of the Gaylord Community Church where she served for many years as the Sunday school superintendant and taught many community youth in Sunday school. She was active in many community groups.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard after 60 years of marriage; all of her siblings, and a daughter-in-law, Donna Horning. She leaves behind two children Laura Ann Hensley (Jerry) of Tonganoxie, KS; David Horning of Walsenburg, CO; four grandchildren Margo Cox of Smith Center, KS; Todd Horning (Staci) of Alamosa, CO; Ryan Hensley of Lawrence, KS; Aaron Hensley of Lawrence, KS; and six great grandchildren, Alyssa Crowther (Spencer) of Hanover, KS; Nathan Cox of Liberal, KS; Trenna Cox of Smith Center, KS, Lara Cox of Pueblo, CO and Zachary and Garrett Horning both of Alamosa, CO. In addition, she leaves two great-great grandsons, Rhett and Jackson Crowther, both of Hanover, KS.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2018 at the Gaylord Community Church, Gaylord, KS, with pastor Randy Hill officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 31, 2018 with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center. Burial will take place in the Gaylord Cemetery, Gaylord, KS. Memorials may be given to the Gaylord Community Church and sent in care of the funeral chapel.