Luella Stoneman

A Celebration of Life for Lu Stoneman, formerly of Wadena, will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27th, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena MN. Family and friends are invited to a time of fellowship after the service. Luella Stoneman, 94, of Overland Park, KS passed away June 14, 2013. Luella Jane Stoneman was born June 5,1919 to Wilmer and Elsie (McGlaughlin) Seamans in Jesup, Iowa. She had a twin sister, Lucille June who died 13 days after birth. Luella attended elementary school in Littleton, Iowa followed by high school in Jesup, Iowa, graduating in 1937. She attended Iowa State Teachers College, now University of Northern Iowa. On November 28, 1940 she married Donald Kyle Stoneman. They had two sons, Donald Clare and James Steven. She and her husband became partners in the oil business in Independence, Iowa. In 1955, they moved their family to Wadena, MN to be partners in Ash Oil Company. Stoneman Oil Company was formed in June 1960. They retired in 1983 turning the business over to their son, Jim. Luella was a substitute teacher and a tax assessor in addition to her responsibilities as a partner in their business. She was a member of First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Wadena for over 50 years where she was a Sunday School superintendent and served on the Board of Trustees. In later years, having retired to Ottertail Lake, she joined the Ottertail United Methodist Church. Golf, bowling, and bridge were her hobbies. She enjoyed her friendships in these activities. In retirement, Luella and Don enjoyed summers on Ottertail Lake, MN and winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Luella moved to Overland Park, KS in August of 2008. While living in Park Meadows Senior Living she enjoyed her friendships and being near grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Luella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald of nearly 59 years, sister Naomi Boyce, brothers Marcen, Gordon, and Roland. She is survived by sons, Donald (Elizabeth) Overland Park, KS and James (Tracey) Wadena, MN; grandchildren Donald Kevin (Kathryn) Overland Park, KS, Lisa Luella (Gregory) Palmer, Merriam, KS, James (Kristin) Overland Park, KS, Joshua (Shannon) Paradise, CA, Delayne, Paradise, CA and Jared Wadena, MN; great grandchildren Spencer, Brooke, Lindsey, Ryleigh, Samantha Stoneman, Austin Claire, Blake, and Carson Palmer; sisters Laura Van Daele and Ruth Meade; brothers Lowell (Betty) and Charles (Kathy) Seamans; along with many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. The family requests donations be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena or the United Methodist Church in Ottertail, in lieu of flowers. An additional Celebration of Life service will be held in Overland Park, KS. Arrangements were made with the Kansas City Center for Cremation.

Luella Stoneman

June 5, 1919 - June 14, 2013