Paula Kay Leis, 70, of Atlanta, Kansas, passed away Christmas day, December 25, 2023, at her home.

Born January 22, 1953, in Kansas City, Kansas, she was the daughter of Lee Ellsworth and Betty (Bollinger) Haney.  The family lived in Augusta until Paula was five years old and then moved to the family farm outside of Rose Hill.  Paula attended Butler County Community College and Wesley Nursing School, because in her words, "There were two jobs for women back then:  nursing and teaching".  She became a Registered Nurse.

She married Paul Leis in November 1973 in Andover.  The couple lived on a farm west of Douglass.  They had four children and later divorced. Paula began working for Wesley Medical Center in 1974.  She loved her job and her co-workers.  She worked as a surgical tech advisor, labor and delivery nurse and postpartum care.  She spent many years as an RN, retiring in 2018.

In her spare time, Paula pursued her other passions of riding and training horses and raising her cows.  She was also a very talented painter, and enjoyed crocheting and sewing quilts.  She never liked to be the center of attention but loved to see the joy that her talents brought to others. She especially loved being a grandma.

Her family includes her sons, Paul D. Leis of Derby; Patrick Leis of Rosalia; Jeff Leis of Douglass; Gregory Leis and wife, Megan of Douglass; her sisters, Leanne Hamilton and husband, Richard of Bristow, OK; Kim Gordon of Rose Hill; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Miles Funeral Service, 4001 East 9th Avenue in Winfield.  Private interment will take place at a later date.  A reception will follow at the Douglass Fire Department, 108 S. Forrest in Douglass.

A memorial has been established in Paula's name for a nursing scholarship through Butler Community College Foundation.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Services may be viewed live at the following link: