Leona M. Randolph, 86, died on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Salina
Presbyterian Manor. She was born on September 13, 1934, in Meade
County, Kansas, the daughter of Harry and Pearl (Brock) Reinert.
Leona attended grades 1-8 at SunnyDale School in Meade County and grades
9-10 at Meade High School. The Reinert family moved to a farm west of
Deerfield in 1950 where Leona attended grades 11-12 at Deerfield High
School. It was there that the Deerfield cheerleader met the love of her
life, the young, handsome basketball player, Jack Randolph. They were
married on April 8, 1953, at Saint Dominic's Catholic Church in Garden
City, Kansas. They made their first home together in Deerfield, later
moving to Lakin where they would live together on the farm north of
town, then into town until Jack’s death on July 10, 2002. Leona moved
to Salina, Kansas, to live with family in 2008.
Out of high school, Leona worked at Sears & Roebucks in Garden City
as a cashier. After her marriage, she was a devoted mother and
housewife. Leona later worked outside the home as a part time secretary
at the Kearny County Extension office and later at Loucks &
McCormick. As the children grew, she started working at the Lakin Grade
School lunchroom. In 1964, she started her county government career
that would span 36 years. First as Deputy County Clerk for four years,
then as Kearny County Clerk until her retirement in 2000. As County
Clerk, she had many titles: County Assessor for six year, County
Election Officer, Secretary to the Board of County Commissioners, Kansas
County Clerks Association Officer from 1976-1978, and Southwest Kansas
County Clerks Association Officer from 1982-1983. Leona was a dedicated
public servant and was highly respected by the people of Lakin. She
also found the time to be the secretary and bookkeeper for the family
business, Randolph Repair, from 1967-1997.
Leona was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Lakin, and a
member and officer of the Altar Society. After her move to Salina, she
was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and a member of the
Ladies Group and Sojourners. She was also a member of Catholic
Daughters at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina. Leona enjoyed the
occasional fishing/camping trips with the family, working in the yard,
doing small crafts like making ribbon crosses that she learned to make
from her sister Dollie, scrapbooking, and just spending time keeping up
with the many activities of the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids
She enjoyed vacationing with family at the beach. Leona was firmly
rooted in her Catholic faith. A strong faith in God and the many
blessings she received was never taken for granted. She relied on this
faith to keep her strong as her health failed.
Leona is survived by a daughter, Mary and husband Kim Harmon of Salina,
and son, Gary and wife Sheila Randolph of Searcy, Arkansas;
sister-in-law June Reinert of Lakin; three awesome grandchildren, Seth
and wife Jamie Harmon of Wichita, Stuart and wife Abby Harmon of
Ellsworth, and Laken Randolph of Searcy, Arkansas; four precious
great-grandchildren, Emerson and Ella of Wichita, and Kami and Addie of
Ellsworth. Many nieces and nephews called her Aunt Leona. She made
many lasting friendships throughout her life. She was loved and will be
missed by family and friends. She was and still is a blessing to so
many.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack, of 49 years,
a son, Joseph Lee Randolph, three sisters, Opal Bruington, Zella
Padget, and Dollie Hodges, and one brother, Leslie Reinert.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 27 at St Anthony
Catholic Church in Lakin with Rev Peter Tran as Celebrant. Burial will
be in Lakin Cemetery. Rosary will be at 7:00 PM Thursday at Garnand
Funeral Home in Lakin. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Thursday
at Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at
www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
The family suggests memorials to the Joseph Lee Randolph Scholarship
Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home. This fund was established by
Joe’s graduating Class of 1974 and has provided many Lakin High School
graduates with a financial scholarship to assist with expenses during
their first year of college.
Garnand Funeral Home 412 North 7th Garden City, Ks 678446 620-276-3219