Luana Sue Croomes

Luana Sue Croomes Luana Sue Croomes, 54, of Salina, passed away Friday, March 13th, 2015 surrounded by people she loved and those that loved her. Luana was born in Hays, Kansas on June 14, 1960 to Lenor (Manny) and Harold Irby, of Bogue, Kansas. Their house was filled with joy and happiness and with so many brothers and sisters, how could it not. After Luana graduated high school she relocated to Salina, Kansas and started working at Tony's. In 1978 she met Burl E. Croomes and that was when the adventure really began. Shortly thereafter, in 1980, they were married and in 1981 they had a daughter, Alisha. Their home was always filled with laughter and music and although that tight knit little family always had its ups and downs; they always said, “when the dust settles, we always have each other.” Whether Luana was out watching Burls band play, dancing on tables, playing volley ball or softball with the girls, or chasing their crazy beagle down the street in 4 inches of snow in 3 inch heels, she was always happy and grateful for what they had. She found a way to see joy in everything. In 2005 Luana was diagnosed with terminal Multiple Myeloma Leukemia and given just a few weeks to live. Those of you who knew her best know that she did not like to be told what to do or how something was going to be. So her and Burl buckled down and prepared to fight. It wasn't always pretty, but they always said, “together we can make a bed.” That tiny little fighter blessed all of us with 10 more years with her husband close by her side. In between that time she watched her daughter Alisha graduate college, get her first teaching job, and watched her marry her husband Clark. She bounced on beds, drove across the U.S. with her husband, laughed with her family, made Realtor of the Year, and sold more houses than you could count on 10 hands…all while quietly battling this horrible disease. Luana was very private about it all, she didn't want people to look at her differently and she pushed herself to continue selling real estate with her husband throughout it all. Even at her sickest, she almost never missed a day. She wanted to continue living life how she had always lived it. Happy. Luana was a realtor with Coldwell Banker for 20+ years and was the devoted wife of Burl Ernst Croomes and he survives. Survivors also include her daughter, Alisha Jester and husband Clark, of Salina, Kansas; parents, Harold and Lenor Irby of Bogue, Kansas; sisters, Nona DeLaney and husband Bob, of Salina, Kansas; Gaylene Stagner, of Bogue, Kansas; Jeannie Taylor and husband Fred, of Aurora, Colorado; brothers, Roger Irby and wife Martha, of Aurora, Colorado, Randy Irby and wife Susan, of Phoenix, Arizona, Allen Irby, of Pflugerville, Texas, Kevin Irby and wife Nancie, of Centennial, Colorado, Ron and Marcia Irby from Gainsville, Florida. Cremation has been chosen and services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to help with funeral expenses or to the Tammy Walker Cancer Center, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio, Salina, Kansas 67401