Cleola ” Cleo” Carol Ward, 78, of Wamego, Kansas, went to Glory on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. She lived in Michigan for 45 years and moved back to Kansas in 2003.
Cleo was born on February 2, 1941, in rural St. George, Kansas, the daughter of Cleo and Lorraine Rowe Hasenbank. She attended local schools and St. George High School.
Cleo married Louis G. Ward on August 17, 1973, in DeWitt, Michigan. He survives at their home.
Cleo worked 20 years as an inspector for General Motors Company in Michigan. She also worked as a waitress for over 8 years, 5 years in a meter factory, but what she enjoyed most was her years helping at a day care at Grove Christian Church. Cleo enjoyed crocheting and reading her Bible and devotions. She enjoyed country music, Thomas Kinkade artwork, bird watching and collecting light houses and Indian dolls. Cleo was an avid K-State football and basketball fan and a great cook. However, the love of her life was her family and the times she could spend with them. After so many years in Michigan she also enjoyed getting to know her brothers and their wives again. She loved her grandchildren and so enjoyed each new great-grandchild. Cleo was an active member of New Life Baptist Church and the church’s Spirit Sisters.
Cleo is also survived by her children; Rick Hunter, Lake City, MI, Lori Rose (Terry), Ovid, MI, Eric Ward (Sheri), Kinde, MI, Robin Rogers (Bruce), Perry, MI, Louie Ward (Cindy), Fowler, MI, and Lawrence Ward, Manhattan; her grandchildren, Tiphani Jansing (Ken), Misty White (Ed), Jamie Simon (David), Terri Body, Cory Nobach (Eliana), Katie Powelson (Brad), Ashlee Murray (Troy), Ashley Rinehart (Mike), Nichole Blacker (Jon), Nicholas Ward (Samantha), and Bruce Rogers (Alisen); her twenty-three great-grandchildren; and her brothers, Larry Hasenbank (Sandy), Topeka, Lyle Hasenbank, McFarland, Gary Hasenbank (Betty), Newton and Rick Hasenbank, Council Grove; her sisters-in-law, Iva Hasenbank, Adams, OR, Anna Hasenbank, St. George and Diana Hasenbank, Council Grove. Cleo was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, Jimmie Hunter and Scott Ward; her grandson, Chad Nobach; and brothers, Keith, Forrest, Dale and Don Hasenbank; and her sister-in-law, Geraldine Hasenbank.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego. Reverend Rick Hernandez will be officiating. Burial will follow in St. George Cemetery. Cleo will lie-in-state on Wednesday, beginning at 3:00 pm and the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to Good Shepherd Hospice House, and those may be sent in care of the mortuary.