Leona L. Keys, 97, of Russell, Kansas, died on Tuesday, April 05, 2016, at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas.

Leona was born on February 11, 1919, in Tampa, Kansas, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Heffle) Dick.  She grew up in the Russell area and attended local schools.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Edgar DeWitt Keys on November 22, 1941, in Lyons, Kansas.  From this union Leona and Edgar were blessed with 5 children Karen, Sheri, Tom, Bob and Ron.  She worked for Travenol for 6 years as an assembly line operator.  She worked as a Senior Companion for over 20 years and loved working with and helping the elderly.  She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  She also was a member of the Russell American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.  She enjoyed fishing, camping, bingo, handiwork and traveling.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Lomax and husband Bill of Glen Elder, Kansas; sons Tom Keys and wife Lynda of Kansas City, Missouri, Bob Keys and wife Sandy of Badin, North Carolina and Ron Keys of Russell; grandchildren Lisa, Michele, Melanie, Jennifer, Misti, Chris, Josh, Riki, Crystal, Rebecca and Nick; great grandchildren Katie, Jordan, Megan, Brauk, Tommy, Amy, Konnor, Nathan, Addison, Alexis, Astred, Lillian and Jaxon and great-great grandchildren Kennady and Nolan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edgar on July 19, 1984, daughter Sheri Clarke; brothers Reinhardt and Ben Dick; sisters Anna Kaiser, Martha Funk, Linda Keller, Irene Bronson, Alice Canning, LaVera McCarty, Houlda Herbel and Marie Herbel.

A memorial service to celebrate Leona's life will be held at 10 A.M. on Monday, April 11, 2016, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Inurnment graveside service will be held at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell immediately following the church service.  The family will greet guests the day of the funeral service at the church.  Memorials may be given to the Senior Companion Organization and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.