Luanna Tellas Newkirk

Luanna Tellas Newkirk, 91, a life-long Rush County resident, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Flatrock River Lodge. Luanna was born on January 4, 1933, in Fayette County, IN to Edward and Florence Tellas, both deceased. Luanna married Marlin Newkirk on September 5, 1956, at the Raleigh Christian Church and he is deceased. Luanna lived most of her life in Rush County. She was a Raleigh High School graduate in the Class of 1951 and a 1955 Indiana University graduate where she graduated with a degree in Dietetics with an internship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She worked a year at the Riley County Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas while Marlin served in the United States Army. She also worked at Purdue University food service for three years while Marlin obtained his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and Ag Education. Luanna and Marlin farmed throughout their married life – side by side, working together to build up the family farm that is now in its eighth generation. She was active in the Raleigh Christian Church for 85+ years, helped with 4-H and Extension, Washington Township Homemakers and Rush County Farm Bureau. Luanna was an avid reader and loved to play the piano, but not for an audience. She was an avid card sender and sent cards all her life for birthdays and anniversaries to her family and friends to encourage and uplift them. Luanna leaves behind two sons, James Newkirk (and his wife, Cindy), Marrice Newkirk (and his wife, Debra), daughter, Teresa Newkirk, sister-in-law, Benita Dill and eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Luanna was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Florence Tellas, her brother Russell Tellas, husband Marlin and one grandson, Benjamin Newkirk. Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Raleigh Christian Church, with Fred Hickman and Fred Girdwood presiding. Friends are welcome to visit the family from 4PM-7PM at Raleigh Christian Church on Friday evening. Burial will be held in Fairview Cemetery, Rush Co., IN. Memorials contributions may be made to Rush County Food Pantry and Raleigh Christian Church. Moster Mortuary is entrusted to the arrangements of Luanna.

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Luanna Tellas Newkirk

January 4, 1933 - October 17, 2024