Kathleen Augusta (Kay) Leckband, 93, died July 7, 2019, at Presbyterian Manor, Salina. Kay was born September 29, 1925 to Everett Earl and Bertha Knapp, in Junction City, Kansas. Later, the family moved to Salina where she attended Marymount College from 1943-1946.

On June 1, 1946, Kay was married to Arthur H. Leckband. She graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and in 1947 taught in a one room rural school in Iowa. Kay and Art settled in Salina with their new family in 1948. They celebrated 64 years of marriage together. Art died March 14, 2011 and she is also preceded by a sister, Evelyn Cole.

Kay was a proud and dedicated member of the Salina Symphony since it was established in Salina. She was one of the original Salina String Orchestra members, as the Salina Symphony was previously named. She was a devoted string player and had performed with the symphony for 52 years before retiring her violin in 2008. She has an Endowed Chair named for her at the Salina Symphony.

In addition, Kay was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Tabitha Quilting group, Best Western Motel Association, several groups within AAUW, Treble Clef, Chapter BX PEO, Salina Country Club, where she was a member of the SCC Ladies Golf League, and an avid bridge player. She enjoyed gardening, cross-stitching, dancing, grandchildren’s activities, and traveling with the Best Western group, Shriners, and First Bank Kansas. Kay’s cross stitched Santas won many awards in the Annual Mid-West Area Presbyterian Manor “Art is Ageless” Contest. Kay and Art traveled to many places worldwide over six continents.

Kay’s family was very important to her. In Salina, she and Art raised her two daughters, Susan Guest (Dr. Ken) and Paula Johnson (Dr.Jim); and saw her grandchildren grow up; Dr. Kathryn Gross (Dr. Guy), Scott Guest (Jane), Dr. Eric Johnson (Carissa), and Dr. Brian Johnson. She was a loving great-grandmother to seven great-grandchildren: Gunnar, Grayton and Kallia Gross; Jillian, Graham, and Hudson Guest; and Madison Johnson.

Family visitation will be from 7 until 8:30 pm Wednesday evening July 10 at the Ryan Mortuary, Salina. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 11 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Roselawn Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran church or the Salina Symphony. For more information or to leave condolences go to www.ryanmortuary.com