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Chase County Kansas Obituaries


1863 - 2002



Willis, Laura LaVerna "Tone" Banks

Laura LaVerna "Tone" Willis, 72, a longtime Council Grove resident, died Nov. 7, 2002, at the Morris County Hospital in Council Grove. The funeral was Nov. 11, 2002. Burial was in Four Mile Cemetery, south of Council Grove.

She was born July 5, 1930, on a farm in Morris County, the youngest child of Joseph A. and Laura B. Kellogg Banks. At age 13, she began working at a grocery store owned by her sister Viola Malzer in Stanley. She worked as a wait- ress at the Old Hill Top Cafe, the Saddle Rock Cafe, the Hays House and the Pauline Tavern. She also worked in an egg factory in Winter, S.D., for three years; doing laundry at Fort Riley for two years; and at IBP in Emporia. She also cooked meals for the Army National Guard in Council Grove.

She is survived by her hus band, Norman Willis, whom she married on June 30, 1955, in Cottonwood Falls. Her survivors also include a daughter, Reisa Blythe of Council Grove; a son, Robert Willis of Sterling; a brother, Wayne Banks of Herington; three sisters, Perla McGrew of Texas, Verla Shearer of Council Grove and Audrey Kniebel of Omaha; nieces and nephews. Three sisters, Viola Malzer, Little Sister and Enid Chalker; a half sister, Jessie; three brothers, Lloyd Banks, Ernest Banks and Novie Banks, a half brother, Clyde Banks; and a great-grandson, Cody Lange, died earlier.

Contributions in her memory to the Council Grove Fire Department's Helicopter Pad Fund can be sent in care of the Memorial Chapel of the Flint Hills, 137 N. Union St., Council Grove, KS 66846.

Chase County Leader-News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, Nov. 12, 2002





Chase County Death Notices and Obituaries,
compiled and abstracted from the Chase County Courant and Chase County Leader Newspapers
by Lorna Marvin
Please submit your obituaries and death notices.



Return to Chase County Obituary Index


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