Vernice Maurine Degnan Leslie

Vernice Maurine Degnan Leslie

July 25, 1923 - March 14, 2014

GOODLAND, Kansas -- Vernice Maurine Degnan Leslie, 90, died Friday (March 14, 2014), at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska.

She was born on July 25, 1923, in Scott City, Kansas, to Olga (Schmitt) and Jesse Gowin. She grew up in Scott City, Kansas, and graduated from Scott City High School in 1941.

She attended nurses training at Wesley Hospital School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas. After graduation in 1945, she joined the Army Nurse Corps and served until the end of 1946. Following her tour of duty, she worked in private nursing in Kansas City, later at Boothroy Memorial Hospital in Goodland, Kansas, later named Northwest Kansas Regional Medical Center. She was a nurse for 37 years.

In 1950, she married George William "Bill" Degnan. After his death, she married U. H. "Doc" Leslie and they made their home in Goodland.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the American Red Cross, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Wesley School of Nursing Alumni Association, American Legion, and various other local organizations.

Preceding her in death were her husbands, Bill Degnan and Doc Leslie; her parents; one brother, Royce Gowin; two sisters, Lorenn Elrod and her husband, Warren; and Glennis Pittman and her husband, William.

Survivors include include daughters, Charmiann Townsend of McCook, Nebraska; Yvonne Norby of Derby, Kansas; step-son, Ron Leslie and his wife, Jolene of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are Tuesday, March 18, at 10:30 a.m. MT, at First United Methodist Church in Goodland, with the Rev. Shelly Petz officiating. Burial will military honors will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsfuneralhome.com

Memorials may be given to the Northwest Kansas Area Medical Foundation or First United Methodist Church and may be left at the service or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS 67735-1555.