Lela A. Honkonen

Lela Honkonen age 100 of Batesville (formerly of Pleasant Plains) died Saturday April 20, 2013 at her home. She was born January 27, 1913 at Dora, New Mexico to Walter Eugene and Margaret Etta Wright Hudson. She was retired from the U.S. Government and was of the Methodist faith. She enjoyed traveling and dancing with her husband in the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. She was very involved with local charities including the Old Independence Regional Museum, Arkansas Sheriff’s Boys Ranch and the White River Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hugo Honkonen; three brothers, Ursie Hudson, Franklin Hudson and Earl Hudson and three sisters, Altha Hudson, Anita Hudson and Alice Moon. Survivors include two sisters, Margaret A. Manning of Bayfield, Colorado and Creta Mertz of Oil City, Pennsylvania; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. A visitation will be held Wednesday April 24, 2013 from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the Qualls Batesville Funeral Service Chapel in Batesville. Burial will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery located on Hwy 87 near Floral. Arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service of Batesville. Pallbearers will be Clive Blount, Johnny Isbell, Bill Manning, Wayne Gay and John Barker. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Robert Walton, All of Her Caregivers and Jerry Post.