Iona Louise Applegate, 92, lifelong resident of Arlington, passed away January 24, 2025, at Good Samarian Society – Hutchinson Village. She was born September 4, 1932, in Arlington, to Charles E. and Velma E. (Cole) Colvard.
Iona graduated from Arlington High School in 1950. She was a homemaker for 19 years, then went to work at the Medical Center in Hutchinson for 25 years, retiring in 1994. Iona enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, reading, working crossword puzzles, and playing golf. She was a member of Arlington United Methodist Church, where the whole family was baptized in 1956, and served on many church and community committees.
On June 4, 1950, Iona married John Wesley “Wes” Applegate, in Arlington. They shared nearly 54 years of marriage before his death on May 19, 2004.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; loving stepmother, Viola Colvard; sisters, Naomi Wedel, Mary Shoemaker, Martha Thiel; brothers, Edwend, Vernon, Leonal; and son-in-law, Roy Childs.
Iona is survived by: her daughters, Kim Larson (Dale) of Clay Center, Kara Childs of Omaha, NE; son, Kenny Applegate (Denise) of Hutchinson; sister, Louise Fay of Hutchinson; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and many extended family members. She was especially proud to live to see 5 generations in her family.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Elliott Chapel. Burial will follow in Arlington Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and the link to view it below will be active beginning at 9:50 a.m. the day of the service.
Friends may sign her memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the service. The casket will remain closed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arlington United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.