Leah Ramsey

Leah L. (Chaffee) Hollen Ramsey, 71, of Clay Center, Kansas, formerly of Salina and Leonardville, Kansas, died Friday, June 10, 2016, after fighting the disease ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) with strength and grace for over a year. Leah was born on November 30, 1944, in Clay Center, Kansas, to Robert Miner and LaVern Edith (Hahn) Chaffee. She grew up in the LaSita community east of Green, Kansas. Leah attended a one-room school house, Pleasant Hill 52C, and then moved onto to high school at Clay Center Community High School graduating in 1962. She was united in marriage to William (Bill) J. Hollen of Bala on June 14, 1964. Bill and Leah made their home in the Leonardville community. From this union Leah and Bill had two children, Christine and Corey. Bill preceded her in death in April, 1990 and followed by Corey in October, 1990. Her parents also preceded her in death. Leah loved education. She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Elementary Education. She started her career as a 5th grade teacher. Leah also worked for many years as the Education Coordinator at the Clay County Hospital. During her time as the Education Coordinator at Clay County Hospital, Leah helped write the first polices and guidelines for Hospice. Near the end of her life, the Meadowlark Hospice was invaluable in assisting in Leah’s care. The importance of this circle of life was not lost on Leah or her caregivers. After the deaths of her husband and son, Leah returned to KSU to renew her teaching certificate and gaining a Master’s degree in Special Education. Leah moved to Salina and taught at Salina Central High School for over 20 years as a special education teacher and department head. Her students, fellow teachers and paraeducators will remember the thousands of pictures she took over the years marking every special occasion and milestone in the classroom. Leah was involved in the National Education Association, taught summer school, and was named as USD #305 Secondary Teacher of the Year and CKCIE Extra Special Educator of the Year during her time at Salina Central. Leah retired from the classroom in 2012. Leah was a friend to many and it was said that anyone she met was ever a stranger long. Leah had goals for her retirement; these included traveling, photography, volunteering, and reconnecting with friends of old. She volunteered with organizations such as the Rolling Hills Zoo and organized gatherings of those she had known from Leonardville, Clay County Hospital, and with her CCCHS classmates. One of her retirement wishes was to ride in a helicopter. It was suggested she talk to her CCCHS classmate, Patrick Michael Ramsey, former helicopter pilot, for advice and encouragement. She took her ride in a helicopter on July 6, 2013, and started dating Mike shortly thereafter. Mike and Leah traveled worldwide visiting Washington, DC, the Grand Canyon, Puerto Rico, and Vietnam among many other places in-between. Leah moved to Clay Center in spring 2015 and she and Mike were united in marriage on June 5, 2015; celebrating with many of her friends and family. Missing Leah will be her husband, Patrick Michael Ramsey of the home, daughter Christine Hollen of Russell, brothers Randall Chaffee of Junction City and John (Joyce) Chaffee of Leonardville, two nephews Brent and Neal Chaffee of Hays, step-daughter Sarah Rasmussen of South Dakota and children Elsie, Jack, and Sammy, her “second family” Nathan (Sharon) Bunting and son Colton of Salina, and too many friends to count. Memorials will be given to the Meadowlark Hospice and the Leah Hollen Ramsey Memorial Scholarship in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home. Leah asked of all her friends and family attending her services, or those attending in spirit but not body, to wear all shades of blue on the day of the service in honor of her love of life. Visitation will be Monday, June 13, 2016 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 10:30 AM at the Clay Center United Methodist Church. Interment will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Kansas.