Leona Marie Fross, age 92, of Hays, Kansas, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Brookdale Senior Living - Kirwin in Salina, Kansas. Leona was born December 18, 1929 in Hays to Isadore and Rose (Urban) Befort. She was a graduate of Girl’s Catholic High and on November 9, 1950 she married George D. Fross in Hays. He preceded her in death in 1989.

Leona was a loving mother, grandmother, and homemaker whose family was most important to her. She had a deep devotion to the Catholic faith and was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays, Saint Mary Queen of the Universe in Salina and a member of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.  She enjoyed crocheting, quilting, sewing and oil painting.

She is survived by three sons, Don (Connie) Fross of Hays, Thomas (Suzanne) Fross of Des Moines, Iowa and David Fross of Hays; two daughters, Teresa Nelson of Salina and Rebecca (Jeff) Hertel of Salina; a daughter-in -law, Karla Fross of Jefferson City, Missouri; two sisters, Rosemary (Ernest) Gerstner and Janet (Jude) Gerstner; one brother, Ronald (Pam) Walters; ten grandchildren, Kelly Echternacht, Dustin Fross, Brandon Fross, Sara Fross, Jennifer Nelson, Joshua Nelson, Jami Bunger, Jacob Fross, Derek Hertel, Megan Hertel and seven great grandchildren, Brooke Echternacht, Claire Echternacht, Joey Fross, Braylin Fross,Connor Bunger, Logan Bunger and Nolan Bunger. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her stepfather, Frank Walters; son, Stephen Fross; great granddaughter, Chloe Bunger; son-in-law, Larry Nelson; her sisters, Sr. Mary Alice Walters, Marcella (Ray) Dreiling, Cecelia (Clarence) Wolf, Catherine (Lex) Schmidt, Mary (Al) Pfeifer, Alice (Alfred) Windholz, Frances (Herbert) Schmidt, Rita Mae Walters, Wilma (George) Bieker, and Miriam Walters; her brothers, Ralph (Anna Mae) Walters and Robert (Ernestine) Befort.

Cremation has taken place.  Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.

Family will receive visitors at the church on Saturday 9:30 a.m. until service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements in care of Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.