Beatrice K. Feleay

Beatrice K. "Bea" Feleay, 75, of Topeka passed away quietly on October 21, 2013, at Midland Hospice after a year-long battle with cancer.
Bea is survived by her husband of 26 years, Richard Feleay of Topeka; her children Kathy Palmer (Ken Hastert); Mike Palmer (Wendy Montgomery), Laurie Palmer, Kelly Neiman (Dave), Kate Larison (Dusty), Kevin Feleay (Angie), Kim Coover (Scott); her grandchildren Matthew, Jeremy, Eric, Zac, Valory, Chance, Josh (Rachel), Jacob, Jeffrey, Drew, Sam, Lauren, Madison, Jayden; and great granddaughters, Summer and Stormie. Her son Dave passed away in 2008.
She is also survived by siblings Mary Lou Finan, Bud Keating, Nila Graf (Hank), Hap Scott, Bobbie Jordan (Joe), Kelly Ray and Jim Keating. She was preceded in death by her sister Marge Fox. We would like to name all of Bea's extended family, but, frankly, no one has that kind of time.
Bea was born October 6, 1938, in Blaine, Kansas, daughter of Jim and Ada Keating, the sixth of nine children. She graduated in the top six of her class at Blaine Rural High School. In 1959, Bea married Marvin "Butch" Palmer. The couple had four children, Kathy, Dave, Mike and Laurie. Bea and Butch divorced and she subsequently married Richard Feleay, becoming step-mother to his four children, Kelly, Kate, Kevin and Kim.
In 1973, Bea took a job at East Indianola Elementary School, where she worked as food service manager for 29 years. In 1980, Bea was honored with the Louis Sublette Award for Excellence in Kitchen Management - one of only six recipients in the entire United States. She served as President of the Kansas School Food Service Association and her cinnamon rolls brought regional acclaim.
After her retirement, Bea became active in the Women of the Moose. She served as Chairman of the Membership Committee, Senior Regent, Junior Graduate Regent, Family Involvement Chairman and member of the Joint Management Board. She received many accolades in her service to this organization. She was named Kansas International Co-worker of the Year for 2011-12, and accepted the College of Regents award in 2009. She also volunteered her time in the gift shop at St. Francis Hospital.
The family invites all to join them for a visitation at Seaman Congregational Church, 2036 NW Taylor in Topeka, on Friday, October 25, 2013, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Her funeral will be held Saturday, October 26 starting at 10:00 am, also at Seaman Congregational Church. Bea will be interred at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Blaine, Kansas with graveside services commencing at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception at the Blaine Community Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Avenue, Topeka, KS 66606-2800, the American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604; and Seaman Congregational Church, 2036 NW Taylor, Topeka, KS 66608-1941.