SUMNER, Nona Kay (Knabe) - b. February 7, 1943 - d. March 17, 2023

[patyrn]

Nona Kay Sumner, age 80, of Moline, Kansas, passed away March 17, 2023 at her home.  She was born February 7, 1943 in Moline, Kansas to Omer and Helen (Bailey) Knabe. 

Nona grew up with her sister, Sandra, and graduated from Moline High School in the Class of 1961.  On June 12, 1960, Nona married Ray Owen Sumner at the Moline Baptist Church.  They spent 59 wonderful years together until his passing in 2019.  Together they raised a son and a daughter, and Nona'a life was spent caring for the people that were important to her.

When her children were in their early teens, Nona went to work at the Moline Grade School in the food service department where she retired as Supervisor.  Working at the school gave Nona summers off, and the family would take a 2-week vacation every year.  They loved to travel as a family and visited every state west of the Mississippi River at one point or another.  After retirement, she and Ray moved to Grove, Oklahoma to live on the lake.  They loved spending time on the water and stayed there until their health began to decline.  After Ray passed away, Nona moved back to Moline, Kansas to live with her son.

Nona was a woman of her word.  She said what she meant and meant what she said.  She loved taking care of people and was the family's caregiver.  She loved her family dearly and loved being a mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She stayed very close to her sister, Sandra, and would spend hours on the phone with her almost every day even though they only lived 40 miles apart.

Nona was a member of the Moline Baptist Church, the Eastern Star, Rebekahs, ABW, and Kopy Kat Kampers.

Nona is surived by her children, James (Tina) Sumner of Moline, Kansas and Jane (Terry) Harrod of Moline, Kansas; her sister, Sandra Morman Greer of Winfield, Kansas; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ray.

Cremation has been requested with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Harry Hynes Hospice or Hometown Healthcare and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansa 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)

[patyrn]

Celebration of Life for Nona Kay Sumner will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 219 E. 2nd Street, Moline, Kansas.