Stella Kious

Stella Mae Kious, passed away December 5, 2009 at Plaza West Nursing Home in Topeka, Kansas. She died from the accululative effects of a brain aneurysm suffered July 9, 2008 at her home.

She was born June 24, 1932 in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. She attended Burlingame High School but graduated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After graduation, she moved to Topeka and worked as a secretary for a local lawyer. Shortly thereafter she went to work for Myers/American Yearbook Co. There she met and married Arlan Kious in 1952.

The following year, their first son Tim was born. It was 1958 when second son Brian was born and third son, Daniel was born in 1967. While mostly a stay at home mom, for a short period Stella worked for Campbell/Bossler and Assoc. as well as the Topeka Chamber of Commerce.
The family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in November of 1970 to open Quik Print. During the next 11 years she became an accomplished calligrapher. She also built terrariums which she sold in local gift shops. She divorced in 1981.
She worked for Fineline Printing until 1984. She then became the manager for Home Office Plaza for two year. She served as the events coordinator for the New Mexico Special Olympics, a job that profoundly changed her view on life and people in need. During the ensuing years until her retirement in 2005, she managed several apartment buildings in Albuquerque.
In October of 2005, she moved back to Topeka and was able to re-establish connections with immediate and former family and friends.

Stella is survived by her sons Tim, Brian, and Dan. She is also survived by her brother, William C. Smith and sister, Irene Calvin; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends. All will miss her dearly.
Stella is buried next to her mother at Silver Lake Cemtery, Silver Lake, Kansas for all to visit.
A special note of gratitude from her family goes to Heartland Hospice and their staff for their vigilance and caring.