Leona Irene (Cookie) Spiker Besta

1946 - 2016  (70 years)

• Name	Leona Irene (Cookie) Spiker Besta
  Nickname	Cookie
  Born	29 May 1946	Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Gender	Female
  Died	28 Oct 2016	Rossville, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Cremated	Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Person ID	I15183	Rossville
  Last Modified	17 Feb 2021

  
  

  Father	James Harold Spiker
  Mother	Georgia Mae Shields Spiker
  Family ID	F3738	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Bennie R Besta
  Married	3 May 1965	Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
  Children	1. Richard Besta   2. Cynthia Marie Besta Kelley,   b. 5 Sep 1967   3. Patricia Ann Besta Wichman   4. Stacy Besta
  Documents		Bridal Shower- Spiker, Leona Give Bridal Shower Mrs. Ronald Cowan of Rossville and Mrs. Robert Marney of Delia were hosts to a miscellaneous shower Sunday at Delia High School in honor of Leona Spiker who will be married soon to Bennie Besta. Invited guests were Mrs. Clinton Kerwin, Delia, Mrs. Vern Spiker of Topeka, Mrs. George Yocum of St. Marys, Mrs. Val Palmer of Wakarusa, Mrs. Bernard Petty and daughter of Olathe, Miss Sandy Lloyd of Willard, Mrs. Charles Van Vleck of Topeka, Miss Shela Burgett, Mrs. Frank Rosser, Mrs. Merle Huggins, Mrs. Carol Jackson, all of Delia, Mrs. Ivan Marney and Mrs. Douglas Martinek of Rossville and Mrs. Eddie Besta of Topeka.
  		Marriage- Spiker, Leona-Besta, Bennie Spiker-Besta Wedding Solemnized in Topeka The marriage of Leona Irene Spiker to Bennie R. Besta was solemnized at 2 p.m. Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church in Topeka. The Rev. John Mathinson read the double ring ceremony. Richard Gayhart was organist and Tom West, soloist. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Spiker of Topeka and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Kerwin of Delia. The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a white gown of Alencon lace over taffeta designed with a basque bodice, bridal point sleeves and a scalloped sabrina neckline trimmed with iridescent sequins. Tiers of lace formed the bouffant skirt which cascaded into a chapel train. Her fingertip veil of silk illusion, outlined with lace, was attached to a lace crown beaded with seed pearls. She carried a bouquet of roses with a detachable corsage on a white Bible. Patricia Spiker attended her sister as maid of honor. Carolyn Spiker, also sister of the bride, and Mary Blair were bridesmaids. They wore matching formal gowns of azalea pink embossed brocade taffeta. They wore matching head pieces and carried colonial bouquets of pink and white feathered carnations. Eddie Besta served his brother as best man. Robert Marney and Charles Van Vleck were groomsmen. Lynett Mickey and Bobby Kerwin, brother of the bridegroom, were candlelighters. Kimberly Kay Marney and Brenda Besta, nieces of the bridegroom, were flower girls and J.C. Spiker, brother of the bride, carried the rings. Ushers were Jerry Covert and Cody Joe Mitchell. Mrs. Ronald Cowan had charge of the guest book. A reception at the Oakland IOOF Hall followed the ceremony. Assisting were Mrs. Dean Covert, Mrs. Robert Marney, Mrs. Cameron Mickey, Mrs. James Hurd, Mrs. Don McGinnis and De Ann McAninich. After a wedding trip, the couple will be at home in Rossville. Mrs. Besta is a graduate of Highland Park High School and is employed by Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Topeka. Mr. Besta, a graduate of Delia High School, is also employed by Hallmark Cards, Inc. [Photo Caption: Mrs. Bennie R. Besta] [From 8 May 1965]
  Last Modified	13 Nov 2017 16:19:39
  Family ID	F3737	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Documents

  Obituary- Besta, Leona Leona I. “Cookie” Besta ROSSVILLE-Leona I. “Cookie” Besta, 70, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Rossville Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rossville. She was born May 29, 1946 in Topeka, the daughter of James Harold “Vern” and Georgia Mae Shields Spiker. Cookie graduated from Highland Park High School. She graduated from cosmetology school in Topeka and was a beautician for many years. Cookie later worked for the Kansas Department of Revenue until her retirement. Cookie was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James Curtis “J.C.” Spiker. She was united in marriage to Bennie Besta; they later divorced but remained close friends. Survivors include her son, Richie Besta, Topeka; three daughters, Cindy (Karl) Kelley, Rossville, Patti and Stacy Besta, both of Topeka; four sisters, Carol (Ted) Montgomery, Berryton, Cindy Spiker, Ottawa, Pat Spiker and Misty Snyder, both of Topeka; grandchildren, Haley and Dalton Kelley, Rossville; several nieces and nephews. Cookie was cremated. A memorial visitation will be Friday, November 4, 2016, from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Inurnment will be in the Rossville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Avalon Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association and sent in care of the funeral home. To leave online condolences please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.