Kleta Jeanne Counsil

Kleta Jeanne Counsil (White), 74, died Saturday, September 9, 2023, at home surrounded by her family in her home. She was born on August 6, 1949, in Parsons, Kansas, the daughter of Tom and Luella (Tarter) White.

Kleta graduated from Independence High School in 1967. She married the love of her life Larry Keith Counsil Jr. on October 17, 1975, and they made their home in Independence, Kansas. Together they had three daughters (Heather, Desirea, and Jennifer) She worked at SMP for 49 years. She loved her family and loved being with her children and grandchildren. Whether it was cooking, decorating for the holidays, especially Christmas, watching her children play sports, she also loved playing Yahtzee and Scrabble with her grandkids. Kleta loved making memories with all of them. Kleta also was a prayer warrior, when life proved challenging, she believed that God would make it all work out. Kleta also had a talent for poetry. She often would sit down and write a quick poem for her husband, her grandchildren and even for her siblings. She also loved the Kansas City Chiefs. Sunday’s in the house were always filled with football and family. In 2018 Kleta and Larry moved to Elk City where they made their home. Kleta would often be seen making memories in the gardens with her husband, fishing with her grandkids and even at the local Farmer’s Market with the whole family. Kleta also enjoyed sitting on the front porch visiting with her family. 

Kleta was preceded in death by her dad Tom White, her sister, Dale Lou Lasater, her step- dad Merle Lovelace, her son-in-law Andrew Simmons and granddaughter Xzyrabelle Kelli-Ann Simmons

She is survived by her loving husband Larry, her mom Luella, her children Heather and her husband Mark, Desirea and her husband Michael, and Jennifer and her husband Blake; one  brother Tom and wife Dixie White; her grandchildren Michelle, Dillon, Zev, Zaid, Zoltan, Tristen, Xzaydrea, Malachi, Sarah, Shelby and Zaxophelious and her great-grandchildren Abel, Molly, Finely and Brady

A ceremony of remembrance will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at The Nazarene Church in Elk City, Kansas. The burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Elk City, Kansas. Visitation hours will be from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Pallbearers are Zev Simmons, Zaid Simmons, Zoltan Simmons, Zaxophelious Simmons, Tristen Wilson, Tyler Pilcher, Honorary Pallbearers are: Dillon Packard and Malachi Packard. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrorickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.