Ivah Marie Byers' Obituary
Ivah Marie Hole Byers, 86, of Chanute, was called home on March 19th, 2024. She was born on May 27th, 1937 in Rural Chanute, the daughter of Nathan and Eula Hole.
Ivah, or as many knew her, IVY MAY, grew up on the farm, in the area that is now known as Lil’ Toledo Lodge. She graduated from Chanute High School in 1955, where she made her own wedding dress as her senior project. She often said she got an “A” and a husband!
On July 17th, 1955, she married Fred Byers in Chanute. The wedding had to be moved to town because the country church couldn’t hold all the guests her dad invited.
Together, they had five children. Donald, Paul, Rhonda, Debra, and Jeanette.
Family was everything to Ivah, and she could always be found hosting her kids, often making their favorite foods and even their birthday cakes.
After her children were grown, Ivah found herself working a block from home at the Sonic Drive-In, where she worked until retirement, earning the title of ONION RING QUEEN.
She took great pride in this title and loved the Sonic kids like they were her own.
Ivah loved to travel and would agree to go just about anywhere. She made it to Graceland, the beach, the desert, and everywhere in between. You could always spot her out and about in her big red Cadillac, with her personalized tag that read, Ivy May. She was just as happy meeting up with her friends, going out to dinner, or grabbing an ice cream and a country cruise.
Ivah will be remembered as a loving soul, taking in anyone that needed a hug. She always had a joke and a laugh ready, and never let anyone leave hungry.
Ivah is survived by daughter, Jeanette Byers of Mexico, Missouri.
Siblings Wayne Hole, Lester Hole, Charles Hole, and Janice Hole.
Grandchildren Marsha Mitchell, Michael Byers, Jeffrey Packard, Steven Ingle, Jennifer Ingle, Austin Ingle, and Jessica Ingle.
Great Grandchildren Tyler Fisher, Taylor Packard, Zaeda Byers, and Michael Byers Jr.
Ivah was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred, and children Donald Byers, Paul Byers, Rhonda Packard, and Debra Byers, as well as a grandchild, Kimberly Ingle, and a great grandchild, Aaron Byers.
She was also preceded by siblings Darlene Hole, Ruth Russell, Xury Hole, Jean Wilson, Colleen Westendorf, and Anna Fegel.
Family will receive friends on Monday, March 25 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Countryside Funeral Home in Chanute. Services will be held on Tuesday, March 26 at 11:00 am at Otterbein Community Church of Chanute with burial to immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute. Memorials have been suggested to God’s Food Pantry in Chanute and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, Kansas 66720.
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