Leora Caroline Dennis, 89, Chanute, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 at the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

Leora was born in rural Wilson County, on Dec. 4, 1921, the daughter of Charles Frederick and Pearl Armstrong Uthmann. She lived all her life in Wilson and Neosho counties. She attended Peach Grove and Union Valley grade schools and graduated from Chanute High School in 1939. As a teenager she was very active in 4-H.

She was united in marriage to Omer Ray Dennis on June 12, 1942 in Chanute. He preceded her in death in 1994.

Leora operated the Dennis Nursery for about 10 years, and also worked at Alta’s Diner and Head-Start.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Chanute. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, Bible School, working at church camps, mother-to-mother ministry, sewing for missionaries, and gardening.

Leora is survived by two sons, Larry Raymond Dennis and his wife, Kay, and Loren Dale Dennis and his wife, Colleen, both of Chanute; three daughters, Beverly Joan Hole and her husband, Charles, and Bonnie Sue Townsend, Chanute, and Betty Jean Sawvell. Seneca, Mo.; 21 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; and a brother Elva Dale Uthmann, rural Chanute.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Charles Earl Hole, a great-grandson, Adam Joseph Schomaker, three brothers, Walter Uthmann, Frederick Uthmann George Calvin Uthmann, and a sister, Ella Viola Kepley.

A Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Chanute. Burial will be private.

Friends may call on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel.

Memorials in her name may be made to the ABW at the First Baptist Church and may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.