E. Louise Idleman

E. Louise Idleman, 89, passed away Monday, Sep. 15, 2025, in Bradenton, Fla. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 39 years, Harold, and her two daughters, Denise and Dana. Louise was born, Jan. 26, 1936, at her family’s farm near Mountain Grove, to Leonard Monroe Thomas and Dora (Hart) Thomas. She was the youngest of their six children. She was a very bashful girl who held on to her mom’s skirt until she was almost 10 years old. Life on the farm included chores, going to school, and family time.  Louise went to grade school at Willow Springs School, and then Dawson school. She graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1953. She decided to go to Draughon’s Business College in Springfield. In 1955, she met and married Lawrence Gaddis, Jr. They moved to Kansas City, and then to Raytown, and subsequently had two daughters. Louise put her secretarial skills to good use and was eventually employed by Allstate Insurance Company as a legal secretary, where she retired. She married Harold Idleman Sep. 12, 1986. Harold was a member of the Motor Escort Unit and Motor Corps of the Ararat Shrine Temple in Kansas City. Louise absolutely enjoyed riding with Harold on the Harley Davidson and cheering him on in the parades and competitions. They also enjoyed traveling, whether by car, motorcycle, 5th wheel, airplane, or river cruise. They had a lot of great friendships near and far. Once both Louise and Harold retired, they decided to make the move to Port Charlotte, Fla., in 1998. They enjoyed the beach, camping, and participating with the Araba Shrine Motor Corp. Louise also became involved in the Shrine Guilds of America, Lotus Guild. The organization provides independent support, education and aid to children treated at Shriners Children’s Hospital. Louise volunteered in various leadership positions with the Lotus Guild and eventually rose to Imperial Maharanee of the Shrine Guilds of America in 2018. She was very proud of the accomplishments of the Guild chapters and her opportunity to support them with her leadership. Around the end of 2022, Louise’s strength and health began declining. They decided to move to Bradenton, Fla., to assisted living at Discovery Village at Sarasota Bay. There Louise was able to make new friends and was a regular in the Bingo group.
Louise is survived by her husband, Harold Idleman, daughters, Denise Gaddis and Dana Gaddis, all of Bradenton, Fla.; brother, Harold Thomas, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; and brother, Charles Thomas (Sue), Mountain Grove. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and their families residing all over the United States. She was preceded in death by her sister, Verba Long; brother, Howard Thomas; brother, Harry Thomas; father, Leonard Thomas; mother, Dora Thomas, a niece and three nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital online at donate.shrinerschildrens.org, recipient email harlou2idleriders@gmail.com Memorial to be held on Sep. 27, 2025, 11 a.m. at Robert Toale & Sons, 1221 53rd Ave. East, Bradenton, FL 34203. Inurnment and graveside services to be held on Oct. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery, Mountain Grove, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.