Lilah J. Gleason

Lilah J. Gleason, 93, of Frankfort, passed away on April 28, 2026, at the Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook, Kansas.

Lilah was born on August 14, 1932, at Goff, Kansas, to Charles and Faye (Hawley) Wenger. She attended a one-room country school and was often the only girl in the school. She would sometimes ride a horse to school, and Alvin would later tell her she was the prettiest girl in school.

On June 19, 1949, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Alvin Gleason. While still attending high school, Lilah would often go home during lunch period to prepare Alvin’s lunch. Together they built a loving home and were blessed with two sons, Bryan and Brent. Alvin preceded her in death on November 19, 2020.

Lilah was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy in life was her family. She and Alvin faithfully attended their sons’ activities and later followed the lives of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren through sporting events, school activities, graduations, weddings, showers, and family celebrations. Holidays were especially important to Lilah, and Christmas gatherings at the Gleason home became treasured family traditions filled with laughter, sleeping bags, games, and thoughtful gifts.

The family shared a lifelong love of camping, boating, and fishing, spending countless weekends together at the lake. Although Lilah did not swim, she was always a good sport, happily sitting for hours at the beach, riding in the boat, cooking meals, and enjoying games with the growing family. Dirty Deuce and pitch were family favorites, and Lilah remained a fierce competitor, winning card games just days before her passing.

Lilah worked for many years in the office at the family Chevrolet dealership and was an active member of her community. She was a faithful member of the Frankfort United Methodist Church and belonged to the Goff Commercial Club, Marshall County EHU, the Red Hat Society, and a Frankfort Bunco group. She was also proud of her involvement with the Goff High School Alumni Association and attended reunions nearly every year, proudly being recognized as the oldest attendee the past two years.

She enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning vegetables, antiques, card games, garage sales, and collecting rooster decorations. Lilah especially loved antique furniture, dishes, and kerosene lamps, and she rarely passed up an opportunity to browse an auction, thrift store, or antique shop. She also enjoyed CB radio conversations while traveling with Alvin, where she was known by the handle “Queen Bee.” Together they enjoyed square dancing, traveling, winter camping trips to Texas, visits to Mexico, antique car parades, and Chevrolet dealership trips. Lilah was also an Elvis fan who treasured attending one of his concerts, visiting Graceland, and later watching the Elvis movie.

Above all, Alvin was the love of Lilah’s life. They shared a remarkable marriage built on love, friendship, faith, and family. During Alvin’s time in the care home, Lilah visited faithfully every day, and when COVID restrictions separated them, she stood outside his window writing messages on a whiteboard so they could still communicate. After Alvin’s passing in 2020, Lilah missed him dearly every day. Now, they are reunited once again.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alvin Gleason; her parents, Charles and Faye Wenger; her sister, Wanda Lockenour, and husband, Quinn; grandson-in-law, Stony Eagle; niece, Glenda (Gleason) Burdolski; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law who were treasured members of the family.

Lilah is survived by two sons, Bryan (Mary) Gleason and family: Angie Gleason and children, Lauren and Charlotte; Carrie Eagle and children, Abbie and Ellie (Jose), and their daughter, Katalina; Michael (April) Gleason and children, Brodie, Breylan, and Braxton; Audrey Gleason; and Erika (Brad) Quilling and children, Addy and Lucy; and Brent (Julie) Gleason and family: Trevor (Amber) Gleason and children, Hudson and Jolee; Tanner (Sammy) Gleason and children, Tessa, Layla, Luxa, and Livia; Tyler (Kaylee) Gleason and twins, Hadley and Addi; and Joanie (Jamie) Hosfelt and children, Whit, Scottie, and Hayes; brother-in-law, Steve (Nancy) Gleason; along with numerous other extended family members and friends.

Visitation was held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 9, at the United Methodist Church in Frankfort. A graveside service followed at 2:00 p.m. at Fairview/Goff Cemetery, north of Goff, Kansas.

The honorary pallbearers were Lilah’s grandchildren, Angie Gleason, Carrie Eagle, Michael Gleason, Trevor Gleason, Audrey Gleason, Tanner Gleason, Erika Quilling, Tyler Gleason, and Joanie Hosfelt.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in the care of Padden Funeral Chapel, c/o Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.