Leola was born August 27, 1939, in Blanco, TX to Leon and Lela Mae (Wagner) Kruckemeyer and died November 3, 2022, in Blanco, TX.

Leola was born and raised in Blanco.  After graduating from Blanco High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Dean Gourley, on June 21, 1957 and moved to San Marcos that August.  In San Marcos, she and Dean bought their long-time home where they raised their family. While raising the family (and many other kids), Leola had a passion for creativity.  She sewed for many people, to include designing uniforms for the Southwest Texas State University Strutters.  She owned an arts and crafts store, L & L Creations.  She was an avid bowler, both 9 pin and 10 pin, as well as coaching junior bowlers.  She bowled on a Traveling League, Prize bowling, and was the President of the San Marcos Women's Bowling Association, as well as Bowler of the Year, 1972.  She worked along side Dean and the kids in their family business, 4G Materials, Inc. San Marcos Hermann Sons Lodge #26 has selected her as the Humanitarian of the Year for 2012.  She was a member of Hermann Sons for 60+ years.  She was very active in the First Lutheran Church where she served as the church secretary for many years, served on numerous committees, was part of the Altar guild, President of the Kids of the Kingdom Board, and taught Sunday School for 3–5 year old's for 30 years.  She was employed at the Hays County Health Department where she worked for 13 years before retiring.  In 2019, she returned to Blanco, where she passed away on the same property where she was born.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Gourley, both her parents, and brother, Leroy Kruckemeyer.

She is survived by her children, David Dean Gourley and daughter-in-law Becky Bray, daughter Cindy Mae Gourley-Martin and son-in-law Collins Martin, her grandchildren, Payden Fulcher Price (Bess Reisberg), Laura Patricia Mae Price, Spencer Dean Gourley (Amanda), Dustin Bray (Jennifer), Chase Martin (Paige), Hunter Martin, and great-grandchildren Dylan and Caroline Bray.

Leola's door was always open to all.  She had a love for all children, young and old alike.  No one ever left her house hungry, there was always food on her table, and good advice to be given.  She had a true love for the game, never to miss watching her Spurs and Astros play.  Her love of life was easy to see in her family and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 8 ^th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home in Blanco.

Funeral will be Wednesday, November 9 ^th , 11:00 am at First Lutheran Church, San Marcos.  Graveside services will follow in Kendalia at the Kneupper Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

Pall Bearers are Payden Price, Spencer Gourley, Laura Price, Dustin Bray, Mike Lindeman, Johnnie Graham, Randy Rawlings, and Pete Johnson.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Collins Martin, Chase Martin, Hunter Martin, Dylan Bray, Caroline Bray, and Dee Ann Elsner.

We the family would like to thank Hope Hospice for their gracious care of our mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial be made to either: First American Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland, San Marcos, TX  78666, or Hope Hospice, 611 N. Walnut Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130