Ilene Verna O'Leary, 85, of St. Francis, KS, died Tuesday, September 23, 2025. In a snowstorm on January 12, 1940, Ilene Verna was born to Jacob Jr. and Ada Franklin Eggers at 11:30 pm on their farm twelve miles southeast of Bird City, Kansas. Her doctor arrived 1½ hours after she was born. Ilene grew up on the farm and loved riding horses and her bicycle. She enjoyed taking care of her 4-H livestock projects. She also loved going to her Uncle Walter's farm 2 miles south of her home where she roller skated in his large potato cellar when it was empty. She attended Center Country School and Center Methodist Church, of which the land was donated by her Grandfather, Jacob Eggers, Sr. Located 2 miles south of her home, she either walked or rode her horse to school until she received her own Vintage Murray Chain Driven Tricycle to try to keep up with her older brother Everett and cousins that lived nearby. Her favorite school lunch was a peanut butter, Miracle Whip and homemade dill pickle sandwich. Ilene enjoyed going to church with her family, family picnics, playing cards and marble games.

On June 22, 1958, Ilene married Gary Gene O'Leary. To this union, a daughter, Sondra Ruth, was born on October 4, 1960. Together, Gary and Ilene ran a trucking company. They loved to travel and especially enjoyed snowmobiling at Grand Lake, Colorado. Ilene also spent many years working at the Citizens State Bank. She went from growing up with rural party telephone lines to having her personal cell phone. All the way through her life, she saw many changes and was innovative and proficient in mastering the latest technology. Later, she was the Executive Director of the St. Francis Housing Authority. Ilene enjoyed taking care of her yard and planting a plentiful garden. She went to Ladies Breakfast Club, Hospital Auxillary, and weekend dancing with her many wonderful friends.

Ilene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gary; brother and sister-in-law, Everett & Kathleen (Walz) Eggers; nephew, Sean Eggers; only daughter, Sondra Finley; and companion, Francis Moore.

Ilene is survived by her son-in-law Michael Finley; grandchildren Jennifer (Sean) Halladay, Justin (Kayla) Finley, Taylor (Shea) Finley, Emilea (Chris) George, Kyle (Addie) Finley, Travis (Taylor) Finley, Kory (Bryce) Finley, Kourtney Finley and niece, Trista Eggers. Her great grandchildren Avery & Quinn Halladay; Brielle, Sadie, Katelyn & Abigail Finley; Legend, Noble, Wynter, Reign & Brave Finley; Alirah, Tristan & Bjorn George; and Philomena, Elliana, Bosco, Roman & Novena Finley were so blessed to have Great Grandma Ilene!  Her relish trays, deviled eggs and desserts were a highlight at every family holiday gathering.

Ilene was truly a blessing to all who knew her! She had a love for life, family, friends, adventures, and traveling. Her favorite saying to this very day was, "I can handle this job all by myself." Her life motto was to work hard, play hard, dress for success and say lots of prayers.