Della Almeta Vannocker

Almeta Vannocker, Christian mother and grandmother, 94 of Emporia, Kansas, passed away, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Newman Regional Health in Emporia, Kansas,

She was born October 15, 1921 in Gridley, Kansas the daughter of Homer and Emma Ratley Brown.

Almeta graduated from Marion High School in May, 1939 and was united in marriage to Leonard Vannocker in Hillsboro, Kansas on June 4, 1939.

Almeta and Leonard lived in the Gridley Community most of their married life, except for a 5 year period in Russell, Kansas, followed by a 4 year stay in Palo Alto, California before moving back to Gridley in 1952. She and Leonard retired to Lebo in 1982.

She was an active member of Flint Hills Christian Church in Emporia and a long-time worker in the Gridley Christian Church.

Her husband, Leonard preceded her in death on May 9, 2003. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Sam Brown, Melvin Brown; sisters, Edna Dole, Evelene Thomas and a toddler son, Lowell.

Almeta leaves daughters, Doreen (Duane) Evans of Yates Center, Kansas and Lenita (Paul) Book of Emporia, Kansas; sons, Jerry (Pat) Vannocker of Cary, North Carolina, Ted (Mary) Vannocker of Lebo and Joel (Becky) Vannocker of Olathe, Kansas; 17 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Marguerite Kanaga of Ames, Iowa; many nieces, nephews extended family and dear friends.