July 16, 1921 ~ August 20, 2015
Edna Mae Neal passed quietly from her Caldwell, Kansas, home Thursday, August 20, 2015, at the age of 94. She was born on July 16, 1921 to John Simons and Edna Mae Griffin Simons at the Grant County, Oklahoma, homestead near Wakita, Oklahoma. She attended Grant County Rural Schools and Wakita High School. She completed her senior year at Medford High School, graduating with the Oklahoma State Football Championship class of 1938.
On April 12, 1940, Edna Mae married Lewis M. Neal of Caldwell, Kansas. They met at a dance in Drury, Kansas and were never far apart from that day on. They spent over sixty years together farming and ranching in Kansas and Oklahoma. They built an excellent farm operation of primarily wheat, horses, and Registered Angus cattle. To this union and on this farm they raised four children. L. M. Jr. was born on December 3, 1941, Colleen was born on August, 4, 1945, and twins, Mike and Mark, were born on August 14, 1949.
Lewis Neal passed away in 2001 and Edna Mae moved to her house in Caldwell shortly after. There she spent the remainder of her life enjoying the Caldwell school activities, the Caldwell Methodist Church, her lifelong friends the “golden girls”, and many hours enjoying her friends and family from her cozy deck and house. She was a positive and content member of the community who looked forward each day to another game on TV and another drive around her community with special attention given to the ball fields and track at the edge of Caldwell. She found the most beautiful scenes in life to be a well-kept farm, a ball game or track meet, or kids at play.
Edna Mae loved people and she had a special knack for gaining the love of children. All of the family and friends remember glorious days of visiting the farm for great food, fun with the animals, and a “welcome mat” that was 94 years long. Lewis and Edna hosted the Kindergarten class of the Caldwell schools each year for nearly four decades. A large portion of the Caldwell community can recall their exciting day at the Neal farm two miles north of town. The Simons and Neal siblings and cousins all knew it would be a special day when they gathered at the Neal farm for ponies, peacocks, and puppies. Edna Mae was the perfect hostess. In her later years, she used her great mothering instincts to create lifelong memories for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They all hope they inherited her spirit, smile, work ethic, good nature, and her ability to be content over the many decades of a long and full life.
Edna Mae is preceded in death by her brothers Walt, Wes, and Elmer, her sisters, Ester, Marguerite White, Ruby Ayers, and Paulene Connelly, her parents and her husband, and her daughters-in-law, Carol Overall Neal and Linda Hines Neal. She is survived by her son L.M. Jr. of Caldwell, her daughter Colleen Massey and husband Don Massey of Milan, Illinois, her son Mike and wife Tina, of Lawrence, Kansas, and her son Mark and wife Melinda of Caldwell. Her dreams for the future were focused on her wonderful grandchildren, Lance Neal and wife Dana, Micheal Neal and wife Karen, Marsha Parr and husband Jason, Sarah Kling and husband Erik, Clay Neal and wife Jennifer, Chris Kasson and husband Mark, Clayton Young and wife Bridgette, and Kristopher Young and wife Jill. She was overjoyed by knowing her great grandchildren, Abby, Megan, Simon, Elise, Juliana, Mayci, Maddie, Mollie, Ollie and Ozzie.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Caldwell.
Memorials may be given in Edna Mae's name to the United Methodist Church.
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Sorry For Your Loss
Tina Neal - 08/23/2015
So sorry for the loss of this wonderful lady. Thinking of all of you for your loss.
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In my thoughts and prayers
Peggy Connolly ... - 08/22/2015
Edna Mae Neal was one of my favorite aunts. We enjoyed our summer visits to Eddie and Lewis's farm in Caldwell. I will always remember the peacock feathers, riding the horses, my cousins, and especially Aunt Eddie. Her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy
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So Sorry
Linda Harrison - 08/22/2015
So sorry to hear about Edna Mae. She always had a smile and a kind word ....
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Praying for you all
Jan McDaniel - 08/21/2015
Always enjoyed Edna Mae. Will be praying for all of her family.
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Love and Prayers
Dessie Scott - 08/21/2015
I am so sorry for your loss. Edna Mae was one of the nicest ladies I have ever met. Love and prayers to all the family
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So Sorry For Your Loss
Randy Kubik - 09/03/2015
I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person always giving of her time, efforts and with a warm welcome for all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
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