Deloris Ashburn

It is with great sadness that the family of Deloris Ashburn, Alta Vista, announces her passing on Feb. 25. She was 83 years old. Deloris was born and grew up southeast of Alta Vista in the old “Germany” community. She married her childhood friend, Robert (Leland) Ashburn, June 12, 1960, at the Emanual Church. Deloris and Leland both grew up not far from each other, where Leland was best friends with her brother, Butch, and being so close to her brother, Deloris would always tag along.

On their wedding day, Deloris’ dad, Roy, gave Leland a childhood picture of Deloris that he carried in his wallet. Leland also carried that picture in his wallet to this very day.

As the only daughter, Deloris grew up a tomboy competing with three brothers and boy cousins. She loved baseball and she began playing at an early age as the only girl on her brothers’ baseball team. She would reminisce that when she’d play in the yard with her brothers, she could hit the ball further than them, so they made her retrieve the balls she hit. 

Her love for the game continued throughout her life, where she played on Alta Vista women’s softball teams as their pitcher and second baseman. After her many summers playing women’s fast-pitch, Deloris rejoined her brothers, forming a family co-ed team, along with her children, their spouses, nephews and friends from the Dwight/Alta Vista area, and boasted winning seasons each year. A natural athlete, Deloris remained competitive well into her 50’s and only “retired” when the co-ed team disbanded. 

Deloris was always known as “Mom” among her kids’ friends as they grew up and you could always find her helping out with their activities or being the carpool mom. She served as coach for the girls softball team every summer, even after her daughters aged out. Her players held a special place in her heart. She championed all her kids’ extracurricular activities and sports and never missed a game or event. At their games, you could find her on the bleachers, not only cheering them on, but also recording plays in scorebooks that she would later add to their scrapbooks. Later in life, she would also do the same for her grandkids. She passed the love of baseball on to her grandchildren and even in her “Grandma” years, you could find her in the yard playing catch or serving as catcher to her grandkids. 

Deloris was known for her love and support for her family and supported her community in many ways. She worked at the Alta Vista Senior Center after her kids were grown where she enjoyed working with friends. She was a member of the Emanual Church and was a member of the women’s Circle group at the Simpson Methodist Church. A true caregiver, she was always willing to lend a hand, helping care for family and friends in their time of need. 

Deloris was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Stella “Sally” Kraus, her brothers, Butch, Don and Ron Kraus, and great granddaughter, Piper LeMay.

She is survived by and will be sadly missed by her husband, Leland, and her children Terri (Bret) LeMay of Council Grove; Sandi (Rod) Cowdin of Dwight; Rob (Michelle) Ashburn of Riley; and Kris (Dana) Bieling of Dwight. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Justin (Olivia) LeMay, Rose Hill; Whitney (Derrek) Blake of Olathe; Travis (Marissa) LeMay of Hiawatha; Cordell Weis (Kelcy), Conway Springs; Tucker Ashburn, Concordia; Troy (Casey) Cowdin, Council Grove; Hunter (Lacy) Cowdin, Strong City; Logan Bieling, Alta Vista; Aaron LeMay, Grand Forks, ND; Brady Ashburn, Riley; and Hadyn Bieling, Ottawa. She also leaves behind seven great grandchildren: Phoebe LeMay, Tyson, Trynton and Myra LeMay, Reece Blake, Riley Cowdin and Elsie Weis.