Leola Elizabeth Flaming, 95, of Inman, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 at Heartland Haven. She was born June 8, 1925 in Gridley, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Louella (Bertsche) Zehr.
She graduated from Gridley High School with the class of 1942.
Leola started out as a secretary for State Farm in Virginia, later transferring to Newton to work for the Mennonite General Conference. After her marriage and children, she was a devoted homemaker and farm wife, where she helped her husband farm crop and livestock, and always had meals ready for her husband during harvest. She later worked as a CNA for Pleasant View Home in Inman, retiring after more than 30 years.
She was a member of Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church and later attended Inman Mennonite Church. She was also a member of the Happy Hour Sewing Circle. Leola volunteered at the Et Cetera Shop in Hutchinson after her retirement.
Leola was a talented seamstress, making clothes for all of her children. Family was very important to her. She loved her grandchildren and spent time going to their events and taking care of them over the years.
She was united in marriage to Vernon E. Flaming on April 7, 1956 in Meadows, Illinois. He preceded her in death on August 30, 2008.
Leola is survived by her three sons, John and wife, Lorraine, Bill and wife, Amy, and Russell, all of Inman; daughter, Carol Hancock and husband, Richard of Wichita; nine grandchildren, Scott Flaming, Eric Flaming, Tobias Flaming and wife, Katherine, Trevor Grant, Cassie Flaming, Kylie Flaming, Morgan Hancock, Elizabeth Hancock and Jesse Hancock; two great-grandchildren, Brielle and Clint Flaming; brothers, Orlyn Zehr and wife, Jan, and Marvin Zehr and wife, Jeannie, both of Newton; and sisters-in-law, Loretta Zehr of Gridley, Illinois and Miriam Liechty of Berne, Indiana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon E. Flaming; and five siblings, Evelyn Zehr, Edmund Zehr, Don Zehr, Howard Zehr, and Marilyn Yordy.
Private graveside services will be held at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 at Buhler Mortuary. Family will not be present. Memorial contributions may be made to Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church or Et Cetera Shop of Hutchinson in care of Buhler Mortuary, PO Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.
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