Leyona Marie Burris

Leyona Marie (Krout) Burris, loving wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on Monday, March 2, at the age of 65, at her home in Chanute, KS. 

Leyona was born to Bill and Thresa “Terry” (Craig) Krout on June 25, 1960, in Arkansas City, KS. The family moved to Chanute in 1966 and then to Humboldt in 1968. Leyona attended schools in Humboldt, where she was active in the pep club and pom-pom girls, graduating from HHS in 1978.

She married Shane Burris on Dec. 27, 1980, in Humboldt. They have three children, Eric (Tiffany), Travis (Melissa), and Ashley (Josh), and seven grandchildren - Gabriel, Devin, Michael, Shaley, Ashley, Landon, and Kc.

Leyona was an outgoing people person who loved being a waitress and getting to know her customers at Los Palomas and La Cuchara in Humboldt, and later at Opies in Chanute. She also loved her Friday nights working in the Humboldt Speedway concession stand. Leyona graduated from the first Certified Nursing Assistant class at Neosho County Community College in Chanute and cared for residents at Bethesda Nursing Home before going to work at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in the surgery department, Blue Crew, as the ward clerk, from which she retired after 30 years. 

Growing up, she attended the First Baptist Church of Humboldt, accepting Christ as her savior there at her baptism. Leyona put the fan in fanatic with her devotion to her Kansas City Chiefs. She was an avid Texas Hold ‘Em player and a Rock, Paper, Scissors champion. She was a proud American who stood during the National Anthem during all televised sporting events.

 She is greatly missed by her husband, children, and grandchildren as well as her brothers and sisters, Butch (Colleen) Krout, Cedar Vale; Karen Clounch, Humboldt; Janie (Kevin) Hytry, Stevens Point, WI; and Lee Krout, Humboldt; and brother-in-law Bryan (Janet) Vaughn, Seale, AL. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of extended family and friends. 

Leyona was preceded in death by her daughter, Billie Jean, her parents, Bill and Thresa “Terry” (Craig) Krout, a grandson, Adam, sister Janet Vaughn, brothers Bob and Grant Krout, brother-in-law Tim Clounch, and father and mother-in-law, Melvin and Marlene Paget. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would humbly appreciate donations to help defray funeral expenses.

 A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Good News Center, 118 North Forest Ave, Chanute, Kansas. 66720. Lunch will be provided after.

Services are under the personal care of Wickham Family Funeral Home 500 North Forest Avenue, Chanute, Kansas 66720.