Lelia Marie Shults

Lelia Marie Shults, 95 of Sioux City passed away on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home from natural causes.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home Chapel. Rev. Dennis Meinen will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at the Banner Township Cemetery in Lawton. Visitation with the family present will be from 9:30 -10:30 A.M. at the Chapel. Arrangements under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Lelia was born October 21, 1922 in Nellie, OH; she was the daughter of Myron and Iva (Van Kennel) King.

She graduated from Fredricktown High School and later met Bill Shults. In 1943, Lelia took the train from Ohio to California and married her soldier in San Luis Obispo, CA on April 17.

They raised their family in Sioux City and Lea worked at Aalfs Manufacturing and Brothers Box Co. In 1968, Bills job transferred them to Sacramento, CA. Lea loved the California sunshine. They retired in Sioux City in 1983 with family nearby.

Lea was a private person, giving and kind. She kept busy gardening, sewing, baking and walking. She even sent an apple crumb pie to her son stationed in South Vietnam. She and Bill worked many jigsaw puzzles in their later years.

Lea is survived by her two children: Patricia Vermilyea (Jim) of Pagosa Springs, CO and Steve Shults (Kristine) of Sioux City; four grandchildren: Mark Vermilyea, Jill Johnson, Karissa Warkentin and Tom Shults; 11 great grandchildren and a great great granddaughter. Lea is also survived by a special niece, June Tucker of Joshua Tree, CA. and many doggy friends she loved to carry in her arms.

Lea was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill and two sisters Bette and Eleanor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Holy Spirit Retirement Home Foundation.