Leta Marie Koel
July 26, 1936-Feb. 7, 2018
Resident of Wichita, KS
A long-time resident of Norton, KS, Leta lived in Norton for most of her life. Leta was one of four children born to Edward and Helene (Cramer) Luther on their farm homestead in Densmore, KS. She had a younger sister Mary Lee Page, of Saginaw, VA, older sister Phyllis Esslinger, of Mankato KS, and older brother Raymond Luther, of Fort Worth, TX; she was the last living member of her birth family.

Leta attended a small country school and later graduated from Norton Community High School. She married Louis Raymond (Ray) Koel at the age of 18. Leta and Ray had two children, Bruce Edward Koel (Belle Mead, NJ) and Janet Lynn (Koel) Bennett (Olathe, KS). After renting at several locations, Leta and Ray built their own home on N. Second St. in Norton in 1963.

Leta worked continuously since she was a teenager. She met Ray while she was working in the dental office of Dr. Rex Keener as an office staff member and dental assistant doing a little bit of everything. Later she worked a few years as a study hall monitor at the Norton Junior High School and spent the rest of her career as a member of the office staff at the Doctors Clinic in Norton. She loved reading, taught swimming lessons, and enjoyed roller skating, ice skating, skiing, fishing, boating, camping, being outdoors, and watching animals. Leta and Ray spent many of their later years as Camp Hosts at Prairie Dog State Park at the Keith Sebelius Reservoir near Norton.

Leta valued honesty in her relationships and had many friends. She was an accomplished bowler, participating in and winning trophies at the Kansas State Bowling Tournament many times. She also loved playing bridge and all kinds of card games.

Leta died at the Catholic Care Center in Wichita, KS on February 7, 2018 in a peaceful and painless passage. In accordance with her wishes, there was no graveside or memorial services, but family members gathered together to celebrate her life in Wichita, KS and Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Norton Andbe Home.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray.

She is survived by her son Bruce Koel (wife Emily Carter); daughter Janet (Koel) Bennett (husband Tim Bennett); six grandchildren, Brent Koel, Jacqueline (Koel) Geib, Adam Carter Koel, Crystal (Whitney) Waymaster, Nathan Whitney, and Brandon Whitney; and four great grandchildren Gavin Koel, Gage Koel, Madison Geib, and Sarah Geib.

Cremation was planned. Following Leta's wishes, no services are scheduled.