Leola Mae Ramsey, 80, of Russell, Kansas, died on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Leola was born on March 12, 1931 in St. Paul, Kansas, the daughter of Elmer G. and Iva Jane (Smith) Ashcraft.  She grew up in the St. Paul area and attended local schools.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Wilbern Ramsey, Sr. on June 27, 1949.  From this union they were blessed with five children Wilbern, Jr., Kenneth, Roger, Linda and Perry.  Her husband Wilbern preceded her in death on August 8, 2009.  The family lived in Parsons for 25 years, Pittsburg, Kansas for 5 years and Russell for 46 years.  During World War II and the Korean War, Leola worked at Mercy Hospital in Parsons, Kansas.  They moved the family to Russell, Kansas in 1962, where she dedicated her life as a homemaker taking care of her husband and children.  She was a member of the Nazarene Church and enjoyed working in her flower garden and collecting dolls.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and many grandchildren.

Surviving family include sons Wilbern Ramsey, Jr. and wife Pam, Kenneth Ramsey and wife Cindy, Roger Ramsey and wife Raileene and Perry Ramsey and wife Valerie all of Russell; daughter Linda Christian and husband Carrol of Russell; sister Esther Phelan of Bartlesville, Oklahoma 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Other family preceding her in death was her parents and 2 brothers Collis Smith and Kenneth Ashcraft.

A celebration of Leola’s life will be held at 10 A.M. Thursday, September 22, 2011 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow the service at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the mortuary with family present to greet visitors from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening.   Memorials may be given to the Kansas State University Basic Cancer Research and sent in care of the mortuary.   Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral arrangements.