Lena Lou Hughes, 79, of Omaha, NE, formerly of Soldier, KS passed away August 29, 2014 in Lawrence. She was born September 11, 1934 in Soldier, the daughter of Charles and Mary Elizabeth (Cusic) Rogers.

Lena Lou graduated from Soldier High School in 1952. She attended Washburn University and later received her LPN from Metropolitan Community College at Omaha in 1986. She worked for Hallmark Cards in Emporia, Slimaker Dress Factory in Holton and Pyramid Manufacturing in Onaga. She was also a substitute teacher for USD 322 in Havensville. After moving to Omaha, Lena Lou worked for Brandeis-Younkers Department Store, as a nurse at Remington Heights and as a librarian for Omaha Public Schools.

Lena Lou was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Omaha, a republican committee chairman and 4-H Leader in Soldier.

She married George Lee Hughes in 1957. They later divorced. Survivors include 4 children, Robert Hughes (Linda) of Overland Park, KS, Kevin Hughes, Leann Dickson (Duane) and George "Jim" Hughes (Heather) all of Lawrence, KS; 2 sisters, Thelma Padilla of Omaha, NE and Twyla Burroughs of Phoenix, AZ and 8 grandchildren, Justin and Jordan Hughes, Elizabeth, Jennifer and Matthew Hughes and Sierra, Mariah and Jenalee Dickson.

Lena Lou was preceded in death by her parents and 2 sisters, Mateel Laughlin and Mildred Moore.

Funeral services will be 4:00 p.m. Monday, September 1, 2014 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends from 3:00 p.m. Monday until service time. Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the Soldier Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Soldier Christian Church Youth Group or Soldier Boosters 4-H Club c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com