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Iona May Pratt Westphal

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Iona May Pratt Westphal

Birth	:	26 Jan 1917 Ellis County, Kansas, USA
Death	:	3 Feb 2013 Hays, Ellis County, Kansas, USA
Burial	:	Mount Hope Cemetery, Ellis, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.9338989, -99.5481033
Description	:	Iona May Pratt Westphal Iona celebrated her 96th Birthday on January 26, 2013 with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She peacefully passed away, just one week later, on February 3, 2013, at her home at 305 W. 6th. Street in Hays, Kansas. Iona was born on January 26, 1917 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Hays. The winter had been very cold, with much snow. Iona's parents and her two-year old brother, Derrill, lived on a farm, north of town on the Saline River. Iona's father, Herman G. Pratt, was a bit nervous about the impending... Read More	Iona May Pratt Westphal Iona celebrated her 96th Birthday on January 26, 2013 with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She peacefully passed away, just one week later, on February 3, 2013, at her home at 305 W. 6th. Street in Hays, Kansas. Iona was born on January 26, 1917 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Hays. The winter had been very cold, with much snow. Iona's parents and her two-year old brother, Derrill, lived on a farm, north of town on the Saline River. Iona's father, Herman G. Pratt, was a bit nervous about the impending birth, so, at the beginning of January in 1917, they travelled by horse and buggy to the home of his mother, a midwife, who lived on 8th Street in Hays. Safe in town, Iona's mother, Luella Iona Baumer Pratt, stayed there until the new baby, Iona May, was born on January 26th. Iona has been a resident of Hays since she was 12 years old and lived much of her life in the family home on 6th Street, which was purchased in 1929, with money her mother, Luella, had earned selling turkeys, chickens, and eggs from their farm near McCracken, KS. Iona's values helped her to always be a good neighbor. Throughout the years, she was an active presence in the neighborhood, and, when the beautiful old homes were not cared for well, she became an advocate for neighborhood improvement. She was an instrumental force in the creation of the "Hays Neighbors" organization long before it was actually called that! She always introduced herself to new college students as the "old lady next door." She baked cookies for them and they, in turn, shoveled her sidewalks and carried her groceries. She believed that it is important to actively work toward making the area around the university a beautiful and wonderful place for, students, residents and faculty, alike. Iona is one of the oldest members of First United Methodist Church, and has been a member longer than anyone in the congregation! She joined the church in June of 1931, nearly 82 years ago, and served her Circle and many other committees throughout the years. Iona is also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, and the VFW Auxiliary, and the Hays Sewing Club. She has served as a proactive member of the Hays community, as historian, storyteller of the old days, and self appointed caregiver, always reaching out to care for others. Iona was a designer of memorial monuments and worked for Memorial Art Company for 43 years, creating monuments, markers and memorials; her artwork in granite. Her roles as friend and grief counselor endeared her to many whose sorrow at the death of a loved one was made better because of Iona's sensitive and caring ways. Since selling her car and retiring at the age of 90, she would say, " I am just trying to grow old gracefully, and it isn't easy." Iona graduated from Hays High School in 1935. She attended Fort Hays State College during the Depression, and was forced to suspend her studies of Art and Interior Design when she began working in Downtown Hays in order to help her family during financially hard times. She worked at Webster Jewelers until she was recruited to work in "ready-to-wear," by Mr. Shearer, the owner of Shearer's Dress Shop. She excelled in her job, became a "clothes horse," and was a model for the beautiful clothing sold at the store. After her marriage to Verne Ellsworth Westphal on April 4, 1942, she continued to work "Downtown" during the years he served in Germany, France and England during WWII. Iona is survived by a son, Donald Allan Westphal, and his wife, Martha Puyear Westphal, Belleville, Kansas, two granddaughters, Amanda Westphal, Lenexa, Kansas, and Laura Westphal Hobson, Laura's husband, Stephen Hobson and great granddaughter, Madison Hobson, all of Olathe, Kansas. Also surviving is her daughter, LaVetta Lou Westphal-Rolfs, Topeka, Kansas, granddaughter, Rachel Rolfs, Topeka, and LaVetta's partner, Verne Brien, Topeka. In addition, Iona is survived by cousins, many nieces and nephews for whom she has been a "second mom" and numerous friends of all ages and stages of life for whom she has served as friend, adopted mom/grandma and role model. Preceding Iona, in death, were her parents, Herman Gillette Pratt and Luella Iona Baumer Pratt, and her brother, James Derrill Pratt. In addition, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Micah Seth Rolfs, son of LaVetta. There will be a Celebration of Iona's Life beginning with Visitation on Friday February 8th at Hays Memorial Chapel, 1906 Pine, Hays, Kansas. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m., with a more formal time of sharing for family and friends from 5 – 6 p.m. and then another open visitation time from 6 – 7 p.m. The funeral will take place at First United Methodist Church, 305 W. 7th. Hays, Kansas at 11a.m. on Saturday, February 9. Photos and memorabilia of Iona's life will be on display before the service, beginning at 10 a.m. The Burial Service is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Ellis, Kansas.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Iona May Pratt Westphal's memorial?
Iona May Pratt Westphal's memorial is located at: Mount Hope Cemetery, Ellis, Ellis County, USA.
When did Iona May Pratt Westphal death?
Iona May Pratt Westphal death on 3 Feb 2013 in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Iona May Pratt Westphal's memorial?
Latitude: 38.9338989
Longitude: -99.5481033

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Verne Ellsworth Westphal

(1918 - 1960)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mount Hope Cemetery
Ellis, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9338989, -99.5481033

2. St. Mary's Cemetery
Ellis, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9427200, -99.5491800

3. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Ellis, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0294450, -99.5401140

4. Fort Hays Memorial Gardens
Hays, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8969490, -99.3811330

5. Hyacinth Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0032997, -99.3899994

6. Ogallah Cemetery
Trego County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9925003, -99.7241974

7. Saint Andrew Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0332985, -99.3882980

8. Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Ogallah, Trego County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8800100, -99.7442700

9. Fort Hays Post Cemetery
Hays, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8675003, -99.3542023

10. Boot Hill Cemetery
Hays, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8783650, -99.3281360

11. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Hays, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8847008, -99.3193970

12. Mount Allen Cemetery
Hays, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8838997, -99.3181000

13. Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery
Antonino, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7837360, -99.4021700

14. Sentinel Hill
Hays, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8804425, -99.3152361

15. Saint Severin Cemetery
Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0236015, -99.2596970

16. Saint Francis Cemetery
Munjor, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8059190, -99.2690830

17. Saint Catherine Cemetery
Catharine, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9233017, -99.2189026

18. Wakeeney City Cemetery
WaKeeney, Trego County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0158005, -99.8711014

19. Christ the King Catholic Cemetery
WaKeeney, Trego County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0166500, -99.8712000

20. Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Wakeeney
WaKeeney, Trego County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0172200, -99.8715300

21. Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Trego Center, Trego County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8782997, -99.8927994

22. Saint Anthony Cemetery
Schoenchen, Ellis County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7118988, -99.3349991

23. Cordia Cemetery
Rush County, USA
Coordinate: 38.6692009, -99.4291992

24. Nickel Cemetery
Hargrave, Rush County, USA
Coordinate: 38.6397018, -99.4744034