Ladonna J. Knight

Ladonna Joan Knight, 84 of rural Lebo, passed away, Wednesday December 18, 2019 at Sunset Manor in Waverly. She was born January 7, 1935 in Lebo, Kansas the daughter of Harvey G. and Ruby V. Spielman Combes. Ladonna attended Lebo High School and graduated with the Class of 1952. On June 15, of that same year she married the love of her life Daryl C. Knight in the Lebo United Methodist Church. They made their home together in the Key West Township east of Lebo. As a young woman she worked as an assistant for Dr. Kenneth Hunter in Lebo. She later worked at Hallmark Cards. Ladonna was a sales representative for World Book Encyclopedia for many years while starting up a school bus service with  USD #243 which she operated for over 30 years. She was never far from the farm and assisted Daryl whenever she could. Ladonna was a devoted mother and caregiver providing foster care for many years, becoming the long term guardian for Sandy Robinson.  She was a lifelong member of the Lebo United Methodist Church and served for many years with the United Methodist Women. Her love for all things outdoors led her to a lifelong pursuit of hunting, fishing and traveling. She was an avid bowhunter and  was active for many years in the Kansas Bowhunters Association as well as the Twin Lakes Bowhunters Club. Ladonna enjoyed hosting gatherings for loved ones. She also enjoyed making wedding cakes and designing wedding candles for generations of her family and friends. She will live on in the hearts and memories of her devoted husband of over 67 years, Daryl Knight of their home; sons, Galen Knight of Canjilon, New Mexico and Gary Knight and his wife Linnie of rural Lebo; a daughter, Londa Kneisly and her husband William of rural Lebo; a sister, Glenda Combes of Burlington, Kansas; a brother, Larry Combes of Moreno Valley, California; eight grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren as well as numerous extended family and dear friends. Ladonna was preceded in death by her parents and a foster daughter Sandy Robinson. Services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Lebo United Methodist Church. Burial will follow services at Key West Cemetery. The family will receive friends  Sunday afternoon from 3:00 P.M. until 4:30 P.M. at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Lebo First Responders and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.