Leona Delphine Haase, 104, passed away Jan. 28, 2024, at Medicalodges of Great Bend, Kan. She was born on Nov. 25, 1919, in Zurich, Kan., the daughter of Jeremiah and Rosalie (Ducharme) Forgue. She graduated from Palco High School in 1936. In her younger years, she was given the nickname “Finn”, which remained with her throughout life, as nieces and nephews lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Finn”.

As a young woman, Leona worked in the drapery department at JC Penney and as a grocery store cashier. She first met Bill Haase when he came into the grocery store with his mother. On Aug. 10, 1946, Leona and Bill united in marriage. The couple lived in Plainville, Kan. most of their married life until moving to Great Bend in 2006. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on Feb. 13, 2009. Many of those years were spent enjoying golfing and traveling together.

While a member of the Sacred Heart Parish in Plainville, Leona volunteered frequently for church and school functions, and her baked goods were always requested. Leona was a charter member of Our Lady of Olives Circle #873 of the Daughters of Isabella and served as the charter secretary. After moving to Great Bend, she became a member of the Prince of Peace Parish.

Survivors include three daughters, Renee Johnson of Great Bend, Suzanne Hachmeister and husband Marv of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Colette Langley and husband Doug of Mesa, Ariz.; one grandson, Ash Hachmeister and wife KyLee of Phoenix, Ari.; two great-grandsons, Hudson and Ryder Hachmeister; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers, Leon, Medas “Cricket”, Armond and Leonard Forgue; three sisters, Velma Gilbert, Lorena Kern and Beatrice Bedore; and a son-in-law, Ed Johnson.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, with family receiving guests from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by vigil with rosary at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, Kan. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, Kan., with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Plainville Cemetery, Plainville, Kan. Memorials have been designated to Holy Family School Endowment Fund or Sacred Heart Catholic School in Plainville, Kansas, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 30, 2024