Reona Shoemaker 1941-2024
Reona June Shoemaker, 83, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
She was born June 2, 1941, in Holton, the daughter of Orlie and Gladys (Boettcher) Thomas. She was a 1959 graduate of Holton High School and received her registered nursing diploma in 1962 from Stormont-Vail School of Nursing.
Upon graduation, Reona began her nursing career at Horton Hospital as lead supervisor, followed by Dodge City Hospital and several locations in California. When she returned to Kansas she worked at Santa Fe Hospital, later for Memorial Hospital, then St. Francis Hospital, the United Methodist Home and Aldersgate Village and retired from Lexington Park Assisted Living of Topeka.
She was a member of Unity Church of Christianity and a lifetime member of the Stormont-Vail School of Nursing Alumni Association.
Reona married Lyle V. Shoemaker on May 5, 1990 at Unity Church in Topeka. He survives in Topeka.
Other survivors include her son, Kirk Decker of Olathe; two stepdaughters, Kathy Washburn of Topeka and Nida Imhoff of Topeka; three grandchildren, Olivia, Avery and Elliott Decker; a daughter-in-law, Stephanie Selander-Decker of Blue Springs, Mo.; and a sister, Marilyn Matthias of Topeka.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a stepdaughter, Leanna Hickman.
Reona loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed going to the YMCA, spending time with her former classmates and co-workers, solving newspaper and solitaire puzzles, religiously watching “The Price Is Right” and “Wheel Of Fortune” and winning jackpots at local casinos.
Honoring her request, cremation is planned. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Unity Church of Christianity, P.O. Box 750658, Topeka, KS 66675-0658. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.DoveTopeka.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
