Leota May Palmer, 76, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at Wesley Towers Thorne Care Center, Hutchinson.

She was born Feb. 2, 1935, near Natoma in Osborne County, the daughter of Eugene Sylvester and Elsie Mary Casper Palmer.

She was a graduate of Woodston High School in 1953. A longtime resident of Hutchinson, she raised four children as a single-parent mom while holding a variety of jobs. She returned to school late in life, striving to fulfill her dream of helping others by being a nurse. She retired as a CNA from Hutchinson Hospital Corporation and most recently as a home health aide. Leota belonged to Park Place Christian Church, where she served as an elder and participated in the S.A.L.T. (Singles Always Learning Together) group.

Her surviving children include: two sons and two daughters, Weston Alan Brandyberry and wife Tina, Hutchinson, Eric Walter Brandyberry and wife Kathy, Halstead, Ardis Gayle and husband Bill Erbe, Kennewick, Wash., Melissa Brandyberry, Hutchinson; a brother, Harry Gene Palmer and wife Dorothy, Hill City; a sister, Mary Elouise Heaton, Liberty, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a stepmother, Nannie Loraine Palmer; two brothers, Sylvester "Buster" LeRoy and Donald Ray Palmer; and a sister, Neta June Cadoret.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at Park Place Christian Church with the Rev. Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Inurnment will be in Fairlawn Garden of Gethsemane Mausoleum. Her register book will be available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorial gifts may be made to Park Place Christian Church in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for her family.