Okja Lee Cronister's Obituary
Okja Lee Cronister 85, loving wife and mother and longtime resident of Pittsburg, KS passed away on Saturday October 18, 2025.
Okja was born on September 17, 1940, in Kaesong, Korea, the daughter of Chun Sam Lee and In Soon Kim. After the age of 7, Okja spent a good part of her youth in Seoul, South Korea living with relatives and working for various businesses. During this time, she also experienced the hardships brought on by the Korean War, but she persevered. While working in Seoul in the early 1960s, she met a dashing and persistent young service man from the US named Millard.
Millard eventually became the love of her life, and they later married on January 11, 1965, at the American Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Okja came to the United States in March of 1967 and settled in Pittsburg, KS. She soon studied for and proudly earned her U.S. Citizenship shortly thereafter and started a family. She became the anchor of love and stability for her family as her husband Millard served several duty assignments in the Air Force at various locations both stateside and abroad.
Okja lived her life with grit, courage, and determination and was always busy and full of energy. She enjoyed nurturing her many flowers and plants, cooking special dishes for family and friends, and listening to Elvis music. She had a big and caring heart for all animals, great and small, and was never too shy to strike up a friendly conversation or offer an act of kindness to a stranger in need. Okja will be deeply and forever missed by her family.
Survivors include children David Cronister and wife Melinda of Lawrence, KS and Catherine Marie Brown and husband Jay of Frisco, TX.
Okja was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 58 years, Millard.
Memorial Services will be 11:00am Saturday November 15, 2025, at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS with Fr. Caleb Kuestersteffen officiating. A ceremony will follow at the Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ASPCA in honor of her great love for animals.
What’s your fondest memory of Okja?
What’s a lesson you learned from Okja?
Share a story where Okja's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Okja you’ll never forget.
How did Okja make you smile?
