Loma Irene Harleman (Mcconnaughey)

Loma Irene Harleman, 91, passed away on December 19th. She was born on October 29,1926 to John and Clara Irene McConnaughey in Robinson, KS. After graduating from Troy High School in 1944, Loma moved to Kansas City and met a young man, Virgil Harleman, from the small town of Taberville, MO. Virgil dated Loma on a dare from his sister and they were married 6 months later on January 20,1945.
Together, Loma and Virgil made a home and raised a family in Independence. They had 2 children, Michael Dean and Deborah Irene. The family was made complete when David Harleman came to live with them. She loved her 3 children and made sure they all knew how to clean house. Her specialty was the 6 week spring cleaning regimen.
Loma worked at the Sears & Roebuck Mail Order facility on Truman Road in Kansas City for 39 years before retiring. She enjoyed worshipping and volunteering at Glenwood Park United Methodist Church where she was a beloved member for 65 years.
Loma and Virgil took yearly vacations by car long before the Interstate System. Virgil drove and Loma navigated making sure he did not run out of gas. They visited every state except Alaska and Florida and also made several trips to Canada. They would start driving before dawn so they could view the wildlife. Even during her last years, Loma and Virgil kept up that tradition on their annual trip to The Black Hills where she enjoyed eating cherry pie ala mode at The Purple Pie Place in Custer, SD. In her later years she had trouble finishing her dinner, but never her dessert!
Though Loma loved travelling, her greatest love was her family, husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was loved and adored by all and will be dearly missed.
Loma is survived by her loving husband Virgil of 72 years and 11 months; son Michael and wife Susan of Niangua, MO and their children Shelley, Kristy, Lori and Michael Todd; son David and wife Nancy of Harrisonville, MO and David's son Scott, and his step children Mimi and Buddy; daughter Deborah and husband Bob Page of Independence, MO and their children Tyler and Sam; 17 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Vinita Padgett of Thornton, CO and sister-in-law, Audrey Harleman of Independence.
A visitation will be held Saturday, December 23 from 9-10am with a funeral service following at 10:00am, both at Carson Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Interment will take place at Mt. Washington Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Glenwood Park United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 10000 E. 23rd Street S., Independence, Missouri 64052.