Tonya Rae Ward, 40, died Feb. 27, 2013, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born Aug. 22, 1972, in Davenport, Iowa, to Bob and Vicki (Cothrell) Cox.

Tonya was a driven perfectionist who was always busy. Tonya lived by values such as integrity, honesty, respectfulness, compassion, acceptance of others, and forgiveness and instilled those values in her children. She graduated from Riverdale High School in Port Byron, Illinois in 1990, and from Illinois University, in 1996, with a degree in elementary education and a minor in history. Tonya enjoyed reading, especially history and historical/factual documents. She was employed by Holy Cross Catholic School, Hutchinson and Buhler school districts.

On Nov. 1, 1998, she married Lee Ward in Bettendorf, Iowa. He survives.

Other survivors include: children, Sheldon, Landon, Kyla Ward of Hutchinson; step-daughter, Brittani Ward of Illinois; parents, Bob and Vicki Cox; brother, Shawn Cox; grandparents, Alan and Dolores Cothrell, all of Hutchinson, Don and Marie Cox of Iowa; aunts; uncles; and cousins. Tonya was preceded in death by her grandmother, Colleen Flores. As a donor Tonya gave the gift of life after she passed away.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, ar Elliott Chapel with Father Nicholas Voelker officiating. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday with family to receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to CMT, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.