Leola Parker Hansel, age 93, passed away on December 08, 2022 at her home in Wauchula, Florida surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregiver.  She was born on September 26, 1929 in Arcadia, Florida.  She was the daughter of Zeb Newton Parker and Ella Marie Browning Parker.

She learned at an early age to love and enjoy the outdoors.  She spent lots of time around cattle and horses and everything associated with living the ranch life.  She was a true "country gal" who loved her homestead which was known as Parker Brother's Ranch.  It was here that she learned many things that she carried with her the rest of her life – a strong work ethic, the ability to get along with different personalities and a sense of humility.  When it came to "cowgirls", Leola was the "real deal".  She had a deep-rooted pioneer spirit that she never lost.

Leola met the love of her life, Pat Hansel, in Arcadia, Florida and they were married November 30, 1947.  They welcomed their only child, Debra Marie, born December 09, 1951.  A story has been shared about how she and Pat became acquainted.  Pat and Leola rode the same school bus. It was on this bus, that Pat apparently enjoyed aggravating Leola in a way that was probably just "fun" to him.   Leola tired of this handsome cowboy's actions and decided to get even with him when he started his antics.  She started swinging her long pigtails back and forth and walloping him in the face with them.  It seems that Pat was OK with this as their relationship went from irritating to flirtatious to being the loves of each others' lives for almost 60 years – well after the pigtails were gone!

In the early 1960's Pat and Leola formed the Pat Hansel Rodeo Company.  Through this Company, Pat served as a producer, stock contractor and an announcer. The Company was a successful venture with a great reputation and served areas within Florida.  They later became members of the Rodeo Cowboy's Association (RCA) which later became known as the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association (PRCA).  While Leola was the Secretary/Bookkeeper for the Company and worked side-by-side with Pat, she wore many hats and did whatever was necessary to get the job done.  When the cowboys were helping with the rodeo stock, Leola was often right there working alongside them.  When she was done with that, she would often times get busy and prepare them a delicious, homecooked, hearty meal.  Oh, how they all loved Leola.  She became a 2 ^nd mom to many of them.

Yes, she touched so many lives, but there was one cowboy in particular that became such an important part of her life.  He came into Pat and Leola's lives at an early age seeking work in the "cowboy way of life".   This young man was Matt Condo. Upon their first meeting, there was a mutual endearment between the three of them and he was hired to work with The Pat Hansel Rodeo Company.   As time moved forward, the Hansel Family became a party of 4 instead of 3.  Leola became "Maw.  Pat became "Paw".  Debbie became "Sis".  Matt became "Bubba".    This cowboy later became the "All Florida Champion Cowboy" six times.

Leola helped many cowboys and cowgirls throughout their careers.  She was always the one that was there to offer an encouraging word, a much-needed hug, a well-deserved tongue lashing or a good ole fashioned attitude adjustment.  She was loved, respected and admired by many.

Leola felt that time in the saddle was time well spent.  I think it is fair to say that she liked it much better than being indoors, in the kitchen or fretting over housecleaning.  Although, she did her share of that too.

As much as she loved her life in the rodeo arena and her family and friends, her biggest love was the LORD.  Her faith was strong as steel and steadfast.  She loved talking about the Lord, sharing her love for Him with others and listening to and singing gospel music.  She enjoyed her church families and was a participant in the congregations until her health declined.

She enjoyed her heritage and took pride in her family.  She had a tendency to side with the downtrodden and felt that every soul was worth saving.  While she could put on a thick skin, that was usually overshadowed by her soft heart.

Leola moved from her home in Arcadia in 2015 to be closer to her daughter and family. She knew how blessed she was to have the love of her family and friends and to have devoted caregivers until the end.

We loved her in life and we will continue to love and praise her in death. In her final days, she would tell us that she was "ready to go home".  She was looking forward to her eternal reward. She loved to hear the hymn "Come Morning" before she went to sleep at night. We believe that when the angels came to take her away on Thursday morning, Heaven opened its gates wide and greeted her with, "Ride Cowgirl Ride".

She is survived by her beloved Daughter, Debbie Hansel Carlton and Doyle Carlton, III who was much more to her than just a son-in-law, Granddaughter, Millie Carlton Bolin (Todd), Grandson, Patrick Dale Carlton (Beth), 5 Great Grandchildren, 3 Great-Great grandchildren and one due April 2023, Sister, Chobee Parker Bateman, the Matt Condo Family and many Nieces and Nephews.

She was preceeded in death by her Husband, Pat Hansel; Son, Matt Condo; Sister, Lenora Parker McLeod and Brother, Zeb Newton Parker, Jr.

There will be a graveside service at Joshua Creek Cemetery on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 10:30AM.  For your convenience & comfort, feel free to bring a chair. Following the service, lunch will be provided after the service at the Mosaic Rodeo Arena.  For those wishing to make contributions, we suggest they be made in Leola's memory to:

VITAS HEALTHCARE

113 W. Main Street

Wauchula, Fl 33873

Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.

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