Velma Ilene Leaton

Velma Ilene (Wolf) Leaton, 95, of Sedalia passed away peacefully at E.W. Thompson Health and Rehabilitation Center, Sedalia, Missouri. She was born on November 6, 1930 on the family farm in Otterville, Missouri the daughter of Samuel Homan and Stella (Williams) Homan, who preceded her in death.

On March 18, 1951, in Otterville, MO. she was united in marriage to Gordon Lee Wolf, who preceded her in death on November 8, 1985. Later in 1998, in Sedalia, she was united in marriage to Lester Leaton, who preceded her in death on April 5, 2005.

She was the 6th of 8 children to Sam and Stella Homan. Ilene spent her youth working on the farm helping with the animals and the garden and pulling pranks on her other siblings with her partner in crime, her brother Homer who was 2 years older to the day.

Ilene graduated Otterville High School in 1948. After high school, Ilene left the farm and moved to Sedalia at the age of 17. Her first job was at Archie's Seed Store. She enjoyed working in the greenhouse and prepping the flowers. Ilene then tried her hand at retail and got a job at Montgomery Ward. It was there she met her husband, Gordon Wolf when he came in with a return. Shortly after that, Ilene and Gordon were set up on a blind date.

In 1950, Ilene went to work at Sedalia Bank as a teller and worked there until her daughter, Tammy was born. Then Ilene stayed home as a devoted mother to Tammy and David. She also stayed very busy with her gardens, and their farm. Anyone who knew Ilene knew she would always rather be outside working rather than inside doing housework. That trait lasted her entire life.

In 1974, Ilene went back to work at the Pettis County Courthouse where she worked until she retired 18 years later. During the time she worked in the County Clerk's office for Betty Padgett and Sue Barr, and she retired from the prosecuting attorney's office under Jeff Mittlehouser.

When Ilene retired, she married her old high school boyfriend, Lester Leaton. Ilene spent her retirement days living out on her farm where she was always happiest. Almost every day you could find her riding all over her farm in her golf cart or her lawn mower.

Ilene is survived by a daughter, Tammy Hollowell (Steve) of Dallas, TX; a son, David Wolf (Kendel) of Sedalia, MO; four grandchildren, Grant, Kami, Kelsey, and Zach; three great grandchildren, Charlotte, Phoebe, and Kara; her twin sisters, Melita Broderson of Otterville, MO and Mildred Stahl (Allen) of Syracuse, MO; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

In addition to her husband and parents, Ilene was preceded in death by four brothers, Leroy, Earl, Nolan, and Homer Homan; and a sister, Eunice Neitzert.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Rea Funeral Chapel.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.

Burial will be at Highland Sacred Gardens, Sedalia, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sedalia Animal Shelter in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.