Wilma Earlene (Koger) Leach, age 81, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at her home. She was born September 25, 1938, in Neodesha, Kansas, the daughter of William Earl and Aileen Koger. Wilma attended Neodesha Schools and graduated from the Neodesha High School in 1956. She attended Junior Colleges part-time in Coffeyville, Ark City and Fort Scott.
She was married to Adin Leach on April 26, 1958, at the Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, Kansas. Wilma worked at Mercy Hospital while living in Independence, Kansas and received training and education in pastoral care. After moving to Ft. Scott in 1990, Wilma began working at Mercy Hospital in pastoral care. Wilma started Mother to Mother Ministry of Bourbon County, Kansas with a grant from Catherine’s Legacy in 1998. The mission was to serve single mothers or any person or family in need.
Her service to those that she helped lasted almost twenty- two years until closing September 16, 2019 because of her health. Her ministry was made possible by the initial grant, some government programs, local individuals, organizations, and churches including many wonderful volunteers and benefactors.
Wilma is survived by her husband, Adin, of the home; daughters, Angie Plaisance and husband, Marc, of Peachtree City, Georgia, Amy Stephens and Mark Ferrell, of Independence, Kansas, Dee Dee O’Malley and husband, Mike, also of Independence, Alison Leach, of Ft. Scott, Kansas and Mimi Turner and husband, Josh, of Ottawa, Kansas. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Her son Alan Leach, of Washington, DC passed away in January of 2015.
Father Yancey Burgess and Father John Marconi will celebrate Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 18th at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Ft. Scott. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Wednesday at the Calvary Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. The rosary will be recited at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Visitation will follow from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
