Obituary for Leona Hayes (Carlson)
It is with both sadness and hopeful assurance that we announce the peaceful promotion of Leona Carlson Hayes (89) to her heavenly home on January 30th, 2021.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Leona grew up in Kiowa, Colorado on her family ranch. With eyes the color of a clear, blue mountain sky, her heart remained in Colorado, no matter where she moved. As a young person, she decided to follow Jesus Christ, and she was faithful throughout life.
Leona was known for her cheerful demeanor, candid assessments, and her joyful, witty personality. Kindness, gratitude, and humility marked her interactions with others. She was a good listener and encourager to many. Birdwatching, gardening, and reading were her favorite pastimes. Her favorite reading material was the Bible, especially the Psalms. Leona played the piano, and frequently had verses of hymns running through her mind, which comforted her during life’s trials.
Leona’s spirit of adventure and love of learning continued throughout life. Leona began a career in nursing at the University of Denver, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She trained as a nurse midwife at Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky, where she rode by jeep and sometimes horseback to deliver babies.
She earned a degree in missions from Seattle Pacific University, a master’s degree in community health nursing from University of California in San Francisco, and a doctorate in post-secondary education from the University of Illinois.
Leona was employed as a nursing professor at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY (where she met her husband) and later at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. She spent one year as a nursing lecturer at the University of Zambia School of Medicine, in Lusaka, Zambia. She was a teacher at heart.
Leona was a member of Grace Community Church of the Nazarene in Louisville, KY and of the Gideons Auxiliary. She was also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Leona is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert Hayes; daughters, Kristin (David) Bryan and Gwendolyn (David) Rinker; her grandsons, Andrew Bryan, Nathanael Bryan, and Daniel Rinker; and her brother, Marvin (Rosalie) Carlson.
She was preceded in death by her three brothers: Wesley, Everett, and Carroll Carlson; as well as her parents, Elmer and Clara Carlson. She was joyfully anticipating a family reunion in heaven.
A memorial service will be held in Louisville, KY at Louisville Grace Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Elizabeth, Colorado on May 30th, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in Leona’s name to Nurses Christian Fellowship: https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate#47302.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Leona grew up in Kiowa, Colorado on her family ranch. With eyes the color of a clear, blue mountain sky, her heart remained in Colorado, no matter where she moved. As a young person, she decided to follow Jesus Christ, and she was faithful throughout life.
Leona was known for her cheerful demeanor, candid assessments, and her joyful, witty personality. Kindness, gratitude, and humility marked her interactions with others. She was a good listener and encourager to many. Birdwatching, gardening, and reading were her favorite pastimes. Her favorite reading material was the Bible, especially the Psalms. Leona played the piano, and frequently had verses of hymns running through her mind, which comforted her during life’s trials.
Leona’s spirit of adventure and love of learning continued throughout life. Leona began a career in nursing at the University of Denver, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She trained as a nurse midwife at Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky, where she rode by jeep and sometimes horseback to deliver babies.
She earned a degree in missions from Seattle Pacific University, a master’s degree in community health nursing from University of California in San Francisco, and a doctorate in post-secondary education from the University of Illinois.
Leona was employed as a nursing professor at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY (where she met her husband) and later at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. She spent one year as a nursing lecturer at the University of Zambia School of Medicine, in Lusaka, Zambia. She was a teacher at heart.
Leona was a member of Grace Community Church of the Nazarene in Louisville, KY and of the Gideons Auxiliary. She was also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Leona is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert Hayes; daughters, Kristin (David) Bryan and Gwendolyn (David) Rinker; her grandsons, Andrew Bryan, Nathanael Bryan, and Daniel Rinker; and her brother, Marvin (Rosalie) Carlson.
She was preceded in death by her three brothers: Wesley, Everett, and Carroll Carlson; as well as her parents, Elmer and Clara Carlson. She was joyfully anticipating a family reunion in heaven.
A memorial service will be held in Louisville, KY at Louisville Grace Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Elizabeth, Colorado on May 30th, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in Leona’s name to Nurses Christian Fellowship: https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate#47302.