Adena Hilda Towner

On Monday, Dec 30, 2024, Adena Towner, loving wife and mother passed away at age 95, Pioneer Manor, in Hugoton, Kansas. 

 Adena was the first of ten children born to Ukrainian immigrants, Sam and Ruth Kostreva, in Pound, Wisconsin on May 13, 1929. She didn’t learn English until going to grammar school. She graduated from Clintonville, Wisconsin high school as salutatorian. Wandering of her pastor father led her to Colorado Springs, Colorado and then Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She helped raise her younger siblings but eventually went out on her own and worked for a chiropractor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who moved his practice to Guymon, Oklahoma. She made the move as well and met her future husband, Dwain Towner, on a blind date set up by Dwain’s mother.

 Adena and Dwain were married three months later on July 13, 1957. They had two children, Dena Ruth & Melvin. They also contributed significantly to raising a nephew, Jeffrey Thompson, who succumbed to a rare muscle disorder at age 11. 

 Adena was the consummate farmer’s wife maintaining the household, raising children, and keeping the books for the farm. Early in her homemaking career she was involved with the Stevens County extension. Later in life she dedicated herself through volunteer work to the Hugoton community working with Hospice for 23 years and Project Hope for 20 years. In 2006 both her and Dwain were recognized for their community services with a “Kansas Volunteer of The Year Award” from the Kansas Volunteer Commission.

 Survivors include her sisters Grace Riggs & Sarah Tucker, brother Otto Kostreva, her children, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband as well as brothers, Samuel, Daniel, Paul, and James Kostreva, her sisters Lucille Mason and Eunice (Beth) Thompson.

 In lieu of flowers memorials have been established to Project Hope; in the care of Robson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 236, Hugoton, Kansas 67951.

 A graveside service is being held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 2 PM at the Hooker Cemetery, Hooker, Oklahoma.

Robson Funeral Home of Hugoton is overseeing the arrangements.