LYONS – Leota R. Soeken, 96, died May 16, 2015 at Rice County District Hospital, Lyons
She was born Oct. 3, 1918 in rural Ellinwood, the daughter of David and Fronia Kindsvater Galliart.
She graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1936. She resided in Lyons since 1940, formerly of Ellinwood. She was a farm wife and served 25 years as a bus driver for Fairplay School. She was the last remaining charter member of the Grace Lutheran Church, Lyons; Lutheran Women’s Missionary League; Lyons Women’s Bowling League; and Oakland Homemakers.
She was married to Raymond Soeken May 5, 1940 in Ellinwood. He died  Nov. 14, 1967
Survivors include four sons, Don and Karen Soeken, Ellicott City, Md.; Richard and Rita Soeken, Evansville, Ind.; Raymond Jr. and Marvlyn Soeken, Lyons; and Mark and Janet Soeken, Scott City; two daughters, Diane and Kent Wyatt, Abilene; and Donetta and Tim Birzer, Lyons; grandchildren, Jeff and Stefanie Soeken, Beth and Bert Aguilera, Leela and Jens Voges, Nicki Soeken, Rachael and Nate Jones, Brett and Jennifer Soeken, Brice and Megan Soeken, Tyler and Kay Soeken, Myca Soeken, Shawn and Sheena Wyatt, Emily Wyatt, Joe and Presley Birzer, Sarah Birzer, and Ryan Birzer; and great grandchildren, Emily, Katie, and Henry Soeken, Austin, Evan, and Dylan Aguilera, Ryan and Jack Voges, Kinley, Kyler, and Ella Soeken, Alan Jones, Eli and Scarlett Soeken, Shaylee Wyatt and Landen Birzer.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Leonard Galliart.
Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church, Lyons with the Rev. Jeffrey Frakes officiating. Burial will be Lyons Municipal Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorial are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church or Kindle Legacy for Youth Ministers in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Home
214 W. Ave. South
Lyons, KS, 67554
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 19, 2015