Mona Clair Tanner

October 7, 1930 - February 9, 2017

Mona Clair Tanner 86, retired area newspaper editor of Columbus, KS died 6:15pm Thursday February 9, 2017 at the Medicalodge Nursing Home in Columbus, KS following an illness. The daughter of Edgar C. and Clair (Auman) Tanner, she was born on a farm five miles south of Columbus on October 7, 1930 and lived her entire life there. Mona was a graduate of Columbus High School in the class of 1948. Mona joined the staff of the Columbus Daily Advocate a month after graduation and spent 45 years there. She spent 40 years as the newspaper editor retiring in 1993. Following retirement Mona spent 2 years working for the City of Columbus to help arrange the Columbus Museum in its new building. Mona was most recently employed at the Library of Cherokee County Kansas Genealogical Society. During all of her years she was devoted to the service of her community. She served on the original committee planning the Miss Columbus Pageant and helped write the rules for the contestants. She was co-originator of the Columbus Day Celebration as an area wide event and served as chairman for 2 years. Mona received in 1980 Chris Award for outstanding community service, the first woman to ever receive the award. In 1993 she was honored by the Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding work in publicizing the industrial and community growth of Columbus, KS. Mona was a member of the Community of Christ (RLDS) Church of Scammon, KS. She served as leader of the Adult Sunday School Class for 17 years. Mona is survived by many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents. Graveside Services will be 2:00pm Monday February 13, 2017 at the Park Cemetery in Columbus, KS with Pastor Tom Goettel officiating. Informal visitation will be from 10:00am until 1:30pm at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus, KS. E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Columbus, KS.