OBITUARY: Leona Mayer, 1910-2004, Mitchell County, Iowa

[adapted from the Mitchell County Press-News online, Dec. 8, 2004]



                             Leona Mayer

Leona Mayer, age 93, of Stacyville, Iowa, died on Friday, Dec. 3, 2004
at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage, Iowa. Funeral
services were held on Monday, Dec. 6, 2004 at Visitation Catholic Church,
Stacyville, Iowa, with Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating.  Burial was in the
Visitation Cemetery.

Leona was born December 9, 1910 at Stacyville, the eighth of nine children
born to Joseph and Josephine (Mueller) Mayer. She grew up on the family
farm east of Stacyville, moving with her parents to town in 1929, where
she resided until September 30, 2004 when she moved to the Stacyville
Community Nursing Home. Growing up she was very active in 4-H, even
having a grand champion holstein at the National Dairy Show in Memphis,
Tenn. in 1927. Leona graduated from Visitation High School. After
graduation she worked in various homes in the Osage/Stacyville area.
She worked as a telephone operator until Stacyville converted to dial
telephones in the late 1950s. She then worked at the Stacyville Savings
Bank until her retirement in 1975.

Leona was a charter member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, serving in
several offices including treasurer for over 40 years. She was very
dedicated to her church. Leona was also a member of the American Legion
Auxiliary for 45 years. After her retirement she was able to enjoy
gardening, especially roses and peonies. 

She never complained, and found good in everything. While she was never
a mother, she was a special "grandmother" to many and will be greatly
missed.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Angela Ginder; her caregiver and
great-niece Betty Blake; special nephew Leon "Charlie" Heimer; all of
Stacyville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers: Edward, Michael,
Ernest, Ray, Herbert and Ralph; two sisters: Martha Heimer and Marcella
Mayer.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of St. Ansgar, Iowa was in charge of
arrangements.


     Copyright 2004, K.L. Kittleson