Leona R. “Lee” Flanders
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Graveside service for Leona R. “Lee” Flanders, 93, Lawrence will be held 10:30 am Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Oak Hill Cemetery. She died May 28, 2016 at Brandon Woods.
Lee was born on August 27, 1922 in Lawrence, Kansas the daughter of James F. and Arlena L. (Vogler) Webster.
She was a bookkeeper, and a homemaker. She was a member of Lawrence Free Methodist Church.
Lee married Harold Dunn Flanders on June 10, 1948 in Lawrence, Kansas. He preceded her in death on January 14, 1980.
Survivors include two sons, Bruce Flanders and wife, Karen, Lawrence, Scott Flanders and wife, Deb, Woodbury, MN; six grandchildren, Kelly, Kevin, Erik, Ryan, Amy, Katie and former daughter-in-law Hilary Flanders, Woodbury, MN.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Lawrence Free Methodist Church or the Charity of the Donor’s Choice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com
I am so sorry to learn of my old friend and neighbor of 56 years, death! we were side by side on Alabama st for so very many years and I missed her so when she moved . My best regards and blessings to Bruce and Scott and all your families. I know how you will miss mom and she lived a long and fruitful life.She never forgot that she loved the Lord and now we know she is with Him too.
as long as I live where I do, will always think of the Flanders family when I look next door!!!!! they were the greatest!!!!
Joan S Stevenson & daughters
Jane S. Craig & Jean Affalter
son, Larry J Stevenson
Dear Flanders Family:
Joyce and I had the privilege of being neighbors to the Flanders for several years. Lee’s passing to her heavenly reward is a wonderful event. Her faith has given her an eternal destiny in the presence of a God Almighty, her Savior Jesus Christ, her family who went before her and a host of others. What an amazing gift for such a lovely lady. I know that those who are left behind will miss her but will always have the memories of her Christ-like character. Carl Burkhead
Please except my deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mother. My Mother, Betty (Bunn) Sale and Lee were the best of friends in high school and for some time afterwards. Like most people, they drifted apart as they had families and careers that took them in different directions. I worked with your Father “Speed” as he was known to me at FNB in the early 1970’s. My Father passed in 1991 and my Mom 1999, leaving my Mother’s sister “Aunt Vivian” as our only living relative. She had lived with my Mom after my Dad passed, and Aunt Vivian passed away Feb. 2009. Prior to her passing hospice had asked me to compile as much of our family’s past memories, via pictures of relatives and close friends – this is where your Mother surfaced from my Mother’s past. I put the information in a binder and with the help of Aunt Vivian, identified the individuals in the pictures. All this information brings me to how I met/connected for the first time with your wonderful Mother. I was at Oak Hill Cemetery on Friday before Memorial Day, 2009. I knew “Speeds” plot was very close to my Aunt and Uncle and not a stones throw from my parents. I remember seeing her car up on the road – then she left and after a short time returned. I was walking back to my car and as I passed by her I said “excuse me, is your name Lee Flanders?”. She kinda bristled up and said “yes it is, and just who might you be?”. I introduced myself as Betty (Bunn) and Lewis Sale’s youngest daughter – she was as elated as I that we would connect in such a setting. I helped her put her arrangements on your Dad and Grandparents graves….she was very particular about how they should be displayed. I told her she was fresh on my mind due to the memorabilia/picture book and I would love to share the album with her. I had vacation scheduled for July that year so it was set – I told her I would contact her closer to that time so we could arrange a day to reminisce over some cookies and candy I would bring her. July rolled around and we spent a couple hours and I felt for that short time, like my Mom was there with us, pouring over their young lives memories forever recorded in photographs. I told her I baked cookies and made candy for special friends at Christmas and she would be added to the list. Christmas 2009 I delivered her “goody bag” and visited once again. I told her I would be happy to help her Memorial Day 2010 if she needed it – of course she didn’t but I still called her the day I was headed to the cemetery. She remained on my Christmas goody bag list 2010 & 2011. When I’d deliver them we would catch up on common friends, we shared many political views and would try to solve the worlds problems in our hour or two visits. I remember running into Lee, accompanied by Bruce, Karen and their son at Oak Hill, Memorial Day weekend 2012 (I believe it was 2012). Lee seemed more frail than when I saw her in December 2011 and not very excited about selling her home and moving to Brandon Woods, but she understood it had become difficult to keep up with the maintenance and mowing (which I had seen her out doing – against your better judgement I’m sure) etc. in her fragile condition. I remember your son telling me her apartment number at Brandon Woods so I made note of it so I would know where to find her at Christmas. That year I went to her apartment unannounced and she was out so I left her treats with the front desk. I had a wonderful message on my answering machine when I got home – she was so sorry she was out and missed my delivery and how much she loved sharing her goody bag with the grandchildren and still having some left over for herself. She was such a sweet heart and I felt so fortunate to feel the connection with my Mother – just by being in her presence. The Christmas she had been moved to the Dog Wood (?) floor was a heart breaker for me, I can only imagine how you mentally dealt with her condition. I took a goody platter to her – she was playing bingo with other residents and the CNA insisted on bringing her out to see me. I sensed the distance as if she did not recognize me, but she did remember the goody platter and just who was responsible for it. She saw it and lite up and started telling me “Debbie is my angel. She makes this for me every year and I so enjoy it. I just wish I could have thanked her myself – she’s just my angel.” I realized after a few minutes she didn’t recognize me but what she was saying brought tears to my eyes that I fought back until I left the floor. This had to intensify the pain you have experienced over time as you slowly lost her these past several years – my deepest sympathy is with you. I continued to take her a platter but I ask the front desk to deliver them as it was too painful to see her slipping away, I am so sorry. I thought it was so ironic she pasted over Memorial weekend, the same weekend I was fortunate enough to happen into her and enjoy a seven year friendship. Lastly, thank you for sharing your Mother with me – she was such a beautiful lady and I’ll never forget her. When you visit her grave, I hope you won’t mind if I leave them a little something when I visit my relatives.