Iona Tuley

Family greeting friends from 6-8 pm Tuesday

Iona Ellen Hammer Tuley, 87, of Republic, KS died peacefully with family by her side on March 12, 2016, at Leonardville Nursing Home, Leonardville, KS. Iona was born on December 15, 1928, in Scandia, KS, the daughter of Ester (Johnson) and Carl Hammer.  She married Kenneth Mark Tuley on April 2, 1950 in Scandia, KS.  Kenneth died on April 1, 1982, in Belleville, KS.  Surviving family members include: daughters, Debara Hanshaw of Belleville, KS, Loisann (Mark) Brown of Republic, KS, Karla (Dean) Edmiston of Cottonwood Falls, KS, and Kristin (Mark) Welch of Overland Park, KS; son, Mark Tuley of Texas; grandchildren, Thayne Poole of Wichita, KS, Norris (Cara) Poole of Wichita, KS, Brook (Jennifer) of Lawrence, KS, Miranda (Adam) Smith of Urbana, IL, Kenna Havens of Emporia, KS, and Karen (Craig) Ashworth of Williston, ND, and Jackie and Charlie Welch of Overland Park; great-grandson, Owen Poole; sister, Barbara (Don) Cox of Beloit, KS; brothers, William (Nan) Hammer of Damariscotta, ME, and Hilton (Donna) Hammer of Cedar, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Joyce Hammer; son-in-law, Norman Hanshaw; nephew, Dana Cox; and close relatives, Emma and Ted Fischer. Iona graduated from Scandia High School in 1946, then went on to attend business school in Topeka, KS.  She later worked at People’s Bank in Belleville, KS.  After marrying Kenneth, they operated the family farm (and became well-known for raising watermelons).  Her duties inside the home included making the majority of the clothing for her daughters and son, and later even for her grandchildren, cooking large delicious meals, and hosting anyone that entered the home. She was a devout member of Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia, KS, where she was a part of Lutheran Church Women, and President of church council. Other activities she was involved with include Delphian, Republican Party committee members, Women Involved in Farm Economics, Parent-Teacher Association in the Republic Schools, Belleville High School Booster Club, and Kansas State University Ahearn Club. Iona’s love of athletics was prevalent.  She became an avid Kansas State University fan when her daughters, Loisann and Kristin, attended college there.  She thoroughly enjoyed and attended numerous athletic events, even traveling to several bowl games.  That love of athletics was handed all the way down to her grandchildren.  She followed them to many events and activities. She and Kenneth were the Presidents of Parents Advisory Board at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, where their daughters, Debara and Karla, graduated. She belonged to several groups, but one of her favorites was her Bridge Club.  She played as many times a week as she could. Iona loved to travel.  She was even able to go to Japan and Norway and the majority of the states in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. The family will receive friends on March 15 6:00-8:00 pm at Tibbetts Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville. Memorial service will be held March 16 at 10:30 am at Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia.  Burial will follow at Prairie Rose Cemetery, Republic. Memorial contributions may be made to Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia or Leonardville Nursing Home in Leonardville and sent in care of Tibbetts Fischer Funeral Home.