Ellen Evelyn Leonard

Ellen Evelyn Leonard (94) was born on August 17, 1929 to parents, Charles Martin Tuttle Sr. and Ollie Adeline Russ Tuttle, at their home in Stone County, Arkansas. On December 18, 2023, she peacefully passed away at home in Independence, Missouri surrounded by family and caregivers. We rejoice that she is now with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Growing up in the Great Depression helped her develop her inner strength and resourcefulness to do whatever hard work was necessary to provide for her family and any person who fell into her orbit. Ellen’s heart and home were always open for a meal and a hug, and countless visitors soon found themselves captured as “bonus family.” She was known for organizing parties, dinners, receptions, and possibly most famously, for her rolls. “Grannie’s Rolls” were a sought-after centerpiece at church potlucks, holiday gatherings, and any occasion that called for love and food.

Ellen married John Paul Leonard July 26, 1947 and in 1954, they moved their young family to Kansas City where she became a life-long, die-hard sports fan. She attended the first game of the KC Athletics at Municipal Stadium in 1955. Then came the KC Chiefs in 1963 and KC Royals in 1969. You always knew which sport was in season based on the color of her nails and the highlights in her hair.

Ellen was naturally curious and a voracious reader throughout her life. She continually sought out formal and informal educational opportunities. She attended a one-room schoolhouse and completed high school by correspondence. While working full time at City Hall of Kansas City as a keypunch operator, Ellen earned an Associates Degree from KC Metropolitan Community College and worked her way up to be a computer operator in the 1980s.

She taught herself macrame and crochet, and always had a puzzle book or historic novel handy. She sewed, baked, grew flowers in her garden, and canned hundreds of jars of vegetables from John’s garden.

After her husband John passed away in 1992, Ellen sought out the world and adventure through travel and new experiences. She learned to drive in her 60s. She accompanied granddaughters on multiple European tours and made countless cross-country trips with family and friends. She loved glamping with family, collecting rocks, and dipping her toes in any body of water – creeks, lakes, rivers, oceans – that she came across. In 2001, she returned to her family’s homestead in Stone County, AR to build a new home and an enduring legacy. She loved getting her hands dirty in the soil, petting kittens, reaching for the tails of dogs passing by, but she was the happiest when she could hold a baby, as quite a few children she cared for over the years knew first-hand.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, John Paul Leonard; her parents Charlie and Ollie Tuttle; brothers Martin Tuttle and Marlin Tuttle; sisters Juanita Tuttle, Flossie Canard, Marcellie Griffith, and Alta Faye Crews; granddaughters Laura Decker and Kathleen Cress; son-in-law Nickolas Miller.

She leaves behind five children: daughter Judith Decker (Terry), son Stanley Leonard (Karen), daughter Terry Hargreaves, daughter and primary caregiver Patricia Cress (Larry), daughter Martha Miller; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-great-grandson; and many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and countless bonus family members.

The family would like to thank Nicole Barfield for her loving care and Crossroads Hospice for their support.

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A visitation for Ellen will be held Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Newcomer's Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133.

A funeral service will occur Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM,

A graveside service will occur Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 BLUE RIDGE BLVD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64133.