Delores A Foley

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Delores Allene (White) Foley passed away at the age of 96.

Delores was born on July 1, 1929, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to Sant and Dorothy (Lohr) White. She was married to Harold Foley, who preceded her in death in 1974. She is survived by her sister, Vera Rohr, and both were preceded in death by their brothers, Fred and Terrill White.

Delores is also survived by her four children: Linda (Alan) Byerley; Terrie (Doug) Fuller; Steve (Kathy) Foley; and Sue (Larry) Cristani.

Delores was blessed with eight grandchildren: Lincoln Byerley, Jeff (Rose) Byerley, Judea (Tony) Beevers, Evie (Chad) Unrein, Amy (Mike) Branson, Eric (Jessie) Kennedy, Anthony (Elizabeth) Cristani, and Angela Heffernon. Delores has 16 great grandchildren: Brianna Byerley, Myhana Byerley, Cassandra Beevers, Ian Unrein, Sarah (Sam) Newman, Emily, Jared, Lane and Brenna Branson, Andrew, Cassidy and Carrigan Kennedy, Kenley Cristani, Michael, Nevaeh, and Kayla Heffernon; and one great great grandson: Jedidiah Yates.

Throughout her life, Delores kept in touch with family, friends, and co-workers, reaching out to them through cards, letters, gifts, and phone calls. She also shared her heart with others through her original poetry and creative writings.  Delores spent much of her life visiting with residents of local nursing homes, and in Newton, she worked as a volunteer doing much the same work through RSVP.

Delores first retired from the Hutchinson Medical Center and then again from the Harvey County Courthouse after turning 90.  She loved her work and was proud that she learned to file Medicare claims and also learned data storage, especially because she had been a stay-at home mom all her life up until 1974. 

A visitation service will be held at Petersen Family Funeral Home on Thursday, October 2nd from 5:00-9:00 p.m. in Newton, Kansas. Funeral services will also be held at Petersen’s on Friday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Jason Reynolds.  The prayer and life sketch will be read by her grandson and pastor, Jeff Byerley.  A Graveside Service will follow at Laurel Cemetery in Haven/Yoder, Kansas, at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to be designated to Camp Quaker Haven, a Christ centered campground in Arkansas City, KS, that hosts many youth camps and programs, or to Good Shepherd Hospice of Newton, KS. Memorials may be made to Petersen Funeral Home.