Sunrise: 8.19.28, born to Edmund (E.J.) Dreiling & Rose (Wolf) Dreiling, Hays, KS.
Sunset: 6.3.24, Lakeview Village Care Center, Lenexa, KS. Age 95
Imy began life in Hays enjoying the devotion of her loving parents, dear brothers James & Thomas (T.J.) & later a welcomed sister, Judy. They've all preceded Imy in death.
Then doubly blessed with an ever present, extended clan and further nurtured by lifelong friendships with a host of spirited and steadfast cousins. These were treasured blessings in Imy's life which contributed greatly to the woman she became.
Graduated with honors, Girls Catholic High, Hays KS. She attended Mount Saint Scholastica College, Atchison, KS.
Married C.J. Dreher, Oct 1947.
Kansas University, Lawrence, KS, UMKC, Kansas City, MO. rounded out her education where as sole female, class of '52, graduated with a B.S. in Pharmacy and named Woman of the Year in Pharmacy (senior year,) by the APHA, for extraordinary, scholastic achievement.
Blessed with 2 beloved daughters, Maryellen (Steve) Marr, Linn Valley, KS. & Margaretanne McJunkin, Jefferson City, MO.
Divorced in 1963.
Imy, & her girls worked together & played together. This included many adventures, New York City yielded an impromptu Q & A (on the open air, top deck of the Staten Island ferry returning from the Statue of Liberty,) by Bill Murray, as he, Dan Akroyd & Sigourney Weaver were aboard after filming for Ghostbusters. From charming Duluth, to the world- class Smithsonian Mall, plus every state on the West coast, including a jaunt to British Columbia, Canada to visit dear friends the Jepsons and crown jewel the Aloha spirit of Maui, HI. Imy’s final road trip was to visit Bobbi Vollmer, in Denver, CO. seeing cousins, Imy’s nephew & wife and the infamous Hammonds candy factory. Fun times, great memories, we made a good team.
Practicing at L.D. Robbins Drugs, Larry Leard Pharmacy, McDaniel Pharmacy, Merriam Pharmacy, finally with 20 years of service at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Imy enjoyed the singular distinction of being the first female pharmacist hired in Overland Park. The associations she cultivated throughout her distinguished career enriched her life beyond measure.
A granddaughter graced Imy's world, Amanda (Curt) Huwe, Overland Park, KS. They were exceedingly close throughout. Great Grandchildren Jackson & Katelyn Huwe, Overland Park, KS. were highlights who brought much Joy to her golden years.
Imy took pride in her role as Aunt to James' boys, as she watched them attain great personal achievements.
Stephen (Diann) Aurora, CO., Dr. Roger (Lynn) Dreiling, LaQuinta, CA., David Dreiling, Dallas TX. Christopher & Stanley Dreiling, Hays, KS. both preceded Imy in death.
Imy married long time beau, Larry Leard, Oct, 1987, which inspired an untold number of wonderfully rich & rewarding experiences. They shared the same profession and similar passions. Season ticket holders to the Royals, and sports enthusiasts in general, Imy could call the color of a game as well as any announcer & might have been a referee in another lifetime. They were exceedingly smooth on the dance floor & fabulous jitterbuggers. There was a lot of joy in their home and always a place at their table if you happened to be passing by.
This union added another moniker, that of stepmother, to surviving stepchildren Greg (Jennifer) Leard, Forest Hill, CA., Rod (Sue) Leard, Overland Park, KS., Lana Shane (friend Dick) Polson, MT., Alan (Roxann) Leard, Batavia, IL. and the additional joy of step-grand & great grandchildren.
Imy was a people person, with many deeply rewarding friendships that spanned the decades. She was a surrogate mother to several. If she knew you, chances are you received greeting cards to mark special occasions. She was a platinum member of Hallmark cards as proof of this lifelong ritual. Imy loved to cook and bake, whether her traditional BBQ brisket or red velvet cake. She was an accomplished seamstress (trained by nuns,) and excelled at all manner of handiwork (her Xmas Stocking creations each took 40 hours to craft.) Imy enjoyed who done it novels and an avid crossword puzzler, also a devoted Turner Classic Movies aficionado and as it turns out, particularly lucky at Bingo (Imy’s lucky seat is now occupied by friend Rin Tillman who tries to keep the streak going.) Imy, lived her sunset years at Silvercrest College View, Independent Living. This community of kind and generous residents and staff (shoutout to their devoted PT/OT department who kept Imy up and running,) filled her days with a heartfelt camaraderie, to which Imy's family is eternally grateful.
In her final months we'd like to thank, Care Navigator, Kat Kjar and Imy's special helper, Lisa Robinson (Senior Helpers, Overland Park, KS.) for their support & kindnesses
The family acknowledges family, friends, and colleagues for their sustained fidelity throughout.
When you think upon Imy and how she may have touched your life, take comfort in knowing that you touched hers as well.
P.S. always drain the cherries before topping your Angel Pie.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until 9:45 and recitation of the rosary will be at 9:45, on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the church. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials with checks made payable to Children’s Mercy Hospital, may be sent in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, KS 67601. Condolences and memories of Imy may be left for her family at www.haysmemorial.com