- Date Of Birth: November 25, 1919
- Date Of Death: February 18, 2014
- State: Missouri
Matred Edna Kehner, nee Lea, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 23 days. She was born November 25, 1919 in Steelville, Missouri to the late Ross and Opal Clonts Lea. On June 2, 1938, she was united in marriage to Leslie “Sprout” Kehner who preceded her in death in 1967.
Being the eldest of her siblings, she helped her mother take care of her sister and brothers. In later years, Matred worked alongside her husband, “Sprout” at the Kehner Feed Store. She always loved to dance and would be encouraged when her Grandpa Clonts would play his fiddle. She also enjoyed bowling in the women’s league, making quilts and being outside doing yard work.
Since 1952, she kept a pet terrapin, “Bud”, in her basement, feeding him and watching him as he would hibernate under a rug. Still to this day he is living in her home where she had cared for him all of these sixty-two years.
She was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her sister, Shirley Mager of Steelville, MO; three brothers, Hack Lea and wife Verniece, Pete Lea and wife Bonnie and Bill Lea and wife Dormalie all of Steelville, MO; special nephew, Larry Shearrer and wife Pat of Steelville, MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Ross and Opal Lea; husband, “Spout” Kehner; brother, Bud Lea and wife Dottie; two brothers in-law, Dr. Charles Counts and Richard Mager; and special nephew, Bob Shearrer.
The Family received friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Honored to be casket bearers were Billy Lea, John Lea, Joe Lea, Jimmy Harmon, Rusty Lea and Treff Earney.
