Lelia Marie Miner passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. During her last days she had her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren always by her side and was visited often by her dog Moe.
She was born May 12, 1937, in Chanute, Kansas. The daughter of Adolph and Leona Geist and sister to Gene Geist. She graduated from high school in Arkansas City, Kansas and then traveled to Wichita, Kansas to attend the St. Francis School of Nursing.
She married the love of her life James D. Miner on February 13, 1960, in Wichita, Kansas. Together they raised two sons and a daughter, Timothy A. Miner, Monica A. Franz, and Craig S. Miner. Their family grew as Rene Busby, James D. Franz, Alicia T. Dixon, Ben Jackson and Rebecca K. Johnson became a part of the Miner clan.
After the passing of her husband she relocated to the Lawrence, Kansas area where she lived for the last couple decades with family always nearby to support her.
She was always there for her grandchildren, Abigail Miner, Eric Franz, and Savannah Franz and her great grandchildren Sophia Navarro, Jack Navarro, Brodie Jackson, Cobie Jackson, Ainsley Franz, and Kennedy Franz.
It became clear that her most cherished role in life was that of mother. She loved her grand and great-grand kids who loved her right back. These were the individuals in her life that really brought her the most smiles with the occasional eye roll.
Her care for others extended beyond her family as well. From her long career as a nurse to being a proud teacher of nurses to her many years as a house mother at the University of Kansas Tri-Delta sorority and Triangle fraternity.
A graveside service has already taken place in Wichita, Kansas at the Resurrection Cemetery ,where she will be laid to rest with her husband and eternally surrounded by those who loved her dearly.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.
I am saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolences,
Kasi (Knoop)Smith
To the Family of Lelia Miner,
We are the Nurses Honor Guard of Wichita. We are sorry we were not able to honor Leila for her service as a nursing professional in person.
Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle, a way of living. Lelia is not remembered just by her years as a nurse but by the difference she made during those years by stepping into people’s lives, by special moments when she was there.
Our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to all of Leila’s family for your loss.
May the loving memories that all of you carry in your hearts help you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.