May 18, 2016

Tracy Lee Kehl, age 59, of La Cygne, Kan., went to her heavenly home on May 8, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo.

Tracy was born January 10, 1957, in Paola, Kan. She was the youngest of four children born to Dalton Gustav “Sam” and Doris Virginia (Stainbrook) Kehl. She grew up in the La Cygne area and attended Prairie View, graduating with the class of 1975. After high school, Tracy went to Neosho County Community College and earned an associate’s degree in computer programming.

Tracy married Al Staley of Paola and had one daughter Nicole. The marriage later ended in divorce. Later she married Lyle Williamson of Osawatomie. They moved to Chanute where they made their home. While in Chanute Lyle and Tracy raised Lyle’s son JR and daughter Brandie along with Tracy’s daughter Nicole. The marriage ended in divorce and Tracy moved back to the La Cygne area. 

She worked for the Linn County Road and Bridge Department for a few years and then went to Miami County Road and Bridge and drove a maintainer. 

Tracy loved all outdoor activities. When she was younger she enjoyed riding horses. In the spring she would start her garden and maintained it all summer. She raised emus while living in Chanute. Tracy loved animals of all kinds. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister Ann Shulista; maternal grandparents Harrison and Bessie (Mendl) Stainbrook; and paternal grandparents Clarence and Jenny (Parks) Kehl.

Tracy is survived by daughter Nicole Roberts of Louisville, Ky.; brothers Larry (Loreta) Kehl of rural Parker, Kan., Allen (Cathy) Kehl of Russellville, Ark.; and one grandchild who was the love of her life Caleb Roberts; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Graveside service for Tracy will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Prairie Home Cemetery in La Cygne, Kan. Memorials to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter of Ottawa, Kan., and may be sent c/o Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064.