Cleona Alene Flipse (Coval)
November 5, 1939 - November 24, 2023
Cleona Alene Flipse, 84, of Colby, passed away Nov. 24, 2023, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby, after a brief battle with cancer. Cleona was born Nov. 5, 1939, in Wichita, to Albert P. and Leona E. (Noble) Coval.
Cleona grew up in Wichita, and previously lived in Dodge City, and Cimarron. before moving to Colby in 1967. Cleona was united in marriage to Bruce Flipse in July of 1975, combining and raising their “Brady Bunch” family of six children.
She attended college in Washburn for her Paralegal degree, finished her bachelor’s degree in Hays, and graduated from Washburn School of Law in 1988. After passing the bar exam on her first attempt, she joined her husband Bruce’s law practice in Colby and practiced primarily in the child-in-need-care field until she retired.
Cleona also served on the Board of Trustees of Colby Community College for 16 years. Cleona enjoyed spending time with and going on adventures with her family, going to car shows with Bruce, hosting at the holidays and cooking for her family, belonging to Phi Gamma club and collecting music boxes.
Cleona was preceded in death by her parents Albert P. and Leona E. (Noble) Coval; sister Irena Kinsington of Wichita; and brother Bobby Coval of Seattle, Wash.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years Bruce Flipse of Colby; half-sister Cleta Ledbetter of Wichita; half-sister Vita Lamb of Leon; daughter Toni Pulos of Salida, Colo.; daughter Conne (Bo) Brown of Victoria, Texas; son Jon (Amy) Horton of Parkville, Mo.; daughter Kelly (Jeff) Bunyea of Athens, Tenn.; son Brad (Vanessa) Flipse of Colby; son Brent (Gwen) Flipse of Prairie Village; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Colby Community College Endowment Foundation, or the Alzheimer's Association and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com.