Willa Deane Gholson, 83, died on July 14, 2011 at Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita. She was born on October 7, 1927 at Monett, Missouri, the daughter of Norman and Beatrice Bailey Mulkey. She graduated from Verona, Missouri Schools and St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri.

She came to Dodge City in 1949 and was married to John D. Gholson on August 19, 1949. He died on March 10, 2010.

She had a long and dedicated career in nursing, working at both Trinity and St. Anthony hospitals for many years. She worked for the Kansas TB Association, traveling throughout the southern half of the state, conducting TB skin testing clinics in numerous schools. She also worked as a school nurse at St. Mary of the Plains College. From 1969-1977, she taught at Dodge City Community College in School of Practical Nursing. She then worked for the Trinity Association, developing continuing education programs for health care professionals, and presented them at many communities in the western part of the state. In 1984 she became the coordinator of Allied Health Continuing Education for Dodge City Community College, where she served for six years. She then became director of MASH Home Health Care until her retirement. Deane was among the first volunteers to organize and develop Hospice of the Prairie. She was a member of the Kansas State Board of Nursing and the Kansas State Nurses Association, where she held several elected positions and was instrumental in promoting legislation affecting nursing and patients' rights.

She was n excellent seamstress and enjoyed all forms of needlework. She was an avid reader and cook, and was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother.

Deane is survived by two daughters: Jane Allen of Dodge City and Jenny Gholson-Morris and husband Dan of Wichita; a sister, Anne Barker and husband Ralph of Aurora, Mo., a sister-in-law, Martha Fulks of Springfield, Mo; three grandchildren, Joel Allen of Dodge City, Julie Tschanz and husband Kurt of Hays, and Ryan Allen of Dodge City; four great- grandchildren, Ethan, Emma, and Evan Tschanz of Hays, and Kayla Allen of Fowler; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John; a son-in-law, Ron Allen; a sister, Shirley Cook; a nephew John Barker, and her parents.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Dick Robbins presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 from Noon to 8:00 P.M.. The family requests memorials to Hospice of the Prairie in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.