HAYS — Leona Emma (Messer) Green passed away on Saturday, Feb. 29th, 2020, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kan. Leona was born Dec. 21, 1929, in Miles City, Mont., to Frank and Barbara (Ventner) Messer. She met the love of her life, Leroy Green in Tacoma, Wash., and they were married Oct. 6th, 1951, in Tacoma.
Leona was a director of nursing at Norton State Hospital for 25 years and retired in 1990. She lived in Jennings, Norton, Great Bend, and then moved to Hays in 2009.
She grew up in Vananda, Mont. and attended Sacred Heart High School in Miles City and received her nursing license from Presentation School of Nursing in Miles City. Leroy and Leona’s love of dancing created a very large circle of friends that shared their hobby and kept them active throughout their golden years.
Leona is survived by her husband, Leroy, of 68 years, Via Christi Village; four sons, Mike Green and wife, Beverly, Marvell, Ark.; Kevin Green and wife, Lisa, Victoria, Kan.; Keith Green and wife, Donna Hays, Kan.; Kerry Green and wife, Hope Jennings, Kan.; two daughters, Karen Beal and husband, Brett, Wichita, Kan.; Kim Green, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 16 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Dennis Patrick Green; six brothers, Paul, Phillip, Leo, Joseph, Jacob and Louie Messer; six sisters, Clara Messer, Frances Hendrix, Elzora Stein, Vivian Mickelson, Viola Messer and Florence Messer.
Funeral Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kan. A private family inurnment will be held at later date. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays. The family suggests memorials to Fort Hays State University Foundation: for Nursing Department. Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E.22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays
1919 E.22nd Street
Hays, KS 67601
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 4, 2020
