Nona Hartpence

Nona Lee Hartpence, 90, of Ottawa, KS passed away Tuesday November 22, 2022 at Morningstar Care Homes, Baldwin City, KS.

She was born September 30, 1932 in Creighton, MO, the daughter of Glenn Ewing and Velma (Gregg) Ewing.  Nona grew up in Southern Missouri.  In 1965 she moved to the Osage and Franklin County, Kansas area, attained her G.E.D. and eventually graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.

Nona was a Social Worker and eventually became the family self-sufficiency director for E.C.K.A.N.   She loved helping people and was always advocating for people to build themselves up and start over. 

 Nona was the freest spirit you could ever meet.  She was an artist, a writer, and a dreamer.  She had a determined “I’ll show you” attitude with everything she set out to accomplish.  She marched for civil rights, senior rights, and was a pioneer in bringing Head Start and Meals on Wheels to Osage County.  She was also a proud member of the Grey Panthers.

 In 2001 Nona was united in marriage to Ralph Hartpence.  He preceded her in death.

 She was also preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Velma Ewing; two brothers, Stevie Ewing, Lesley “Bubby” Ewing; daughter, Barbara Wheeler; grandson, Jeremy Wheeler; and daughter-in-law, Peggy Wheeler.

 Nona is survived by six children, Debby Weiss, Alvarado, TX, Daniel Wheeler (Karen), Las Vegas, NM, Lynn Hutchinson (Chris), Princeton, KS, David Wheeler (Kandace), Ottawa, KS, Darran Wheeler (Katy), Quenemo, KS, Dennis Wheeler (Brandon), Haysville, KS; nineteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren and an honorary mom and grandmother to many others.

 Memorial Services for Mrs. Hartpence will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday December 3, 2022 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Ottawa.    Memorial contributions may be made ECKAN Christmas Bureau sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nona Hartpence, please visit our floral store.