Etta Louise Idleman

E. Louise Idleman, 89, passed away in the early hours of the morning of Monday, September 15, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 39 years, Harold, and her two daughters, Denise and Dana.

Louise was born, January 26, 1936, at her family’s farm near Mountain Grove, Missouri, 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. Her older sister wasn’t around much since she had already married and moved away. But her four brothers were still home to relentlessly tease her. Life on the farm included chores, going to school, and family time. Kerosene lanterns didn’t put out much light, so homework needed to be done by dark. Although they had a radio, the farmhouse did not have running water and electricity until around 1954, after all the kids had moved away.

Louise’s parents instilled independence and strength in her. Dora’s motto was “If you want something done, and done right, then do it yourself,” and Leonard’s was “Save money and don’t go into debt.” True to those motto’s, Dora and Leonard took the whole family to California to work in the fruit industry for one year and Oregon for two summers. This allowed them to make enough money to return to Missouri and keep the farm running.

Louise went to grade school at Willow Springs school, and then Dawson school. She was the only student in the 8th grade class. She enjoyed softball in grade school, and later at Mountain Grove High, she enjoyed volleyball. She graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1953. From there she exhibited her own independence by deciding to go to Draughon’s Business College in Springfield, Missouri, without her parents’ permission. She paid the $150 tuition fee herself and lived with three different families for room and board. The 3rd family took advantage of her as a cook, housekeeper, and maid leaving no time for study, which didn’t sit right with Louise. She determined they should fend for themselves and left in the middle of the night without telling them.

In 1955, she met and married Lawrence Gaddis, Jr. They moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and then to Raytown, Missouri, and subsequently had two daughters. Louise put her secretarial skills to good use at several employers before eventually being employed by Allstate Insurance Company as a Legal Secretary where she retired.

She married Harold Idleman September 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, Florida, 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, Florida, 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, Florida; brother, Harold Thomas, Sierra Vista, Arizona; and brother, Charles Thomas (Sue), Mountain Grove, Missouri. 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 September 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Robert Toale & Sons, 1221 53rd Ave. East, Bradenton, FL 34203. Inurnment and graveside services to be held on October 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Friendship Cemetery, Mountain Grove, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.