Leona Mary Houlton

Leona was born the eldest of six children to Lenora and Clement Zind in Frankfort, Kansas. She was a rural school teacher in a one classroom school in Highland, Kansas where she met and married John (Jack) Houlton. They lived on a farm in Wetmore, Kansas with their 5 children. Upon the sudden death of Jack in 1953, she moved her family to Kansas City, Missouri. Leona worked at AT&T, and retired after 28 years. She was passionate about helping others, and shared her talents by volunteering at St. Joseph Hospital, Cure of Ars Catholic Church and the AT&T Pioneers. Leona cherished her family and friends, and spending time with them was important to her. She seized every opportunity to play cards, and enjoyed her weekly bridge groups. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for 26 years and then became a member of Cure of Ars Church where she remained a member for 24 years.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband Jack in 1953, her son David in 1959 and her daughter Colleen Ryan in 2004. She was also preceded in death by her sisters Evelyn and Marguerite Houlton, Bernice Campbell, and Helen Hunter.

Leona is survived by her three sons: Larry (Kansas City, Mo), Alan (Houston, Texas) and his wife Hope and children Brad, Greg and Adrianna, Jeff and Crystal, and Lisa, and her youngest son Terry (Overland Park, Kansas) and his wife Kathy and children Andy, Abby, and Alex. She is also survived by her son-in law Pat Ryan (Leawood, Kansas) and his children Debbie and her husband Curtis King and Billy and his wife Lara Ryan. Leona also has 5 great-grandchildren Lauren, Paige, Hope, Hadley and Padraic. Leona is survived by her sister Rosemary Rettele (Seneca, KS) and her brother Clement Zind (Springfield, MO) and his wife Vergene. There are many cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friends and bridge partners that will miss her.

The Rosary will be prayed on Friday January 21st at 6:00PM at McGilley State Line Chapel followed by visitation from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 22st at 10:00AM at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas 66206. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville, Kansas.

The entire family is thankful for the gentle and loving care she has received from the staff at the Kansas City Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Little Sisters of the Poor, 8745 James A. Reed Rd, Kansas City, MO 64138 or Cure of Ars Catholic Church.