Leona A. (Stolz) Tate, age 96, died at her home in Hugoton on October 30, 2013. She was born on February 20, 1917 on a farm in Roberts County, near Sisseton, South Dakota. She married James R. Tate on October 14, 1946, in Clovis, New Mexico.

She graduated from Sisseton High School in 1933. She graduated from Peabody School of Nursing in Webster, South Dakota in June of 1938. She worked in numerous hospitals in Illinois, Texas and Kansas from 1938 until 1968. From 1968 through 1984 she served as the school nurse for USD 210 Hugoton. She was a lifelong member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Hugoton. Her passions included her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her faith, nursing, service to others less fortunate, traveling, reading, gardening, exercise, and watching all sports, but especially tennis.

She is survived by four children, son Michael Tate and his wife Karla of Santa Fe, New Mexico; son Wayne Tate of Hugoton; daughter Theresa Gerrond and her husband Clayton of Hugoton; and son Stephen Tate of Corpus Christi, Texas; and one stepdaughter, Pat Tate of Clinton, Oklahoma. Nine grandchildren, Ashley Tate and her husband Jeremy Davies; Jordan Sevart and her husband Joshua; Skylar Gerrond and his wife Julia; Sarah Kitzke and her husband Paul; Shelby Martin and her husband Will; Sterling Gerrond; Dustin Tate; Shea Tate and Ryan Tate. Seven great-grandchildren, Tucker Martin, Cole Martin, Ella Martin, Riggs Martin, Isaac Martin, Aleia Tate and Chloe Tate. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and ten brothers and sisters.

Rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2013 and funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Hugoton, Kansas with Father Francis Khoi Nguyen presiding. Memorial contributions may be given to the Pheasant Heaven Charities or Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation both in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 423 S Main, Hugoton, KS 67951.