Leona Wiese

Visitation

Monday, August 13, 2007

After 6:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home

Manilla, Iowa

Funeral Service

Tuesday, August 14, 200710:30 AM

United Methodist Church

Irwin, Iowa

Officiating

Pastor Keith Pals

Music

How Great Thou Art?

In The Garden?

Congregational Hymns

Casketbearers

Kathleen Goans     Lana Cadwell     Lanette Sawyer

Craig Thompson     Roger Wiese     Dan Thompson

Jean Stadtlander     Lance Hanson     Ron Wiese

Interment

Oak Hill Cemetery

Near Irwin, Iowa

   Leona Marie Wiese, daughter of John Henry and Marie Margaretta (Witt) Andresen, was born January 16, 1906, near Irwin, Iowa.  She attended Irwin schools and graduated in 1924. Leona was an outstanding basketball player and in honor of her accomplishments she was inducted into the Iowa Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.

  After high school Leona acquired her teaching certificate in Storm Lake and taught rural school in the Irwin area. On June 26, 1929, Leona was united in marriage with Carl F. Wiese at Denison.  Three children were born to this union: Lyla (1930), Ladelle (1932), and Allan (1935). Leona was a dedicated mother, homemaker, and caregiver. In 1948, she was named Homemaker of the Year by the Shelby County Extension.  Carl and Leona retired from farming in 1962 and moved in to Irwin.  The couple enjoyed and took pride in being responsible for the upkeep of the Irwin park.  

   Leona was a long time member of the United Methodist Church and UMW.  She was instrumental in bringing the Senior Citizens Center and congregate meals to Irwin and was the first President of the Keenagers Group.  Leona was a charter member of the Jefferson Community Club, Library Club, and Shelby County Historical Society.  She also was a member of the Pleasant Valley Club and Shelby County Rural Teachers Association. For her many volunteer and humanitarian efforts, Governor Ray presented Leona an Outstanding Senior Citizen Award in 1974. Leona was very active in the Republican party and served as a state delegate in 1964. Leona loved to tend to her flower & vegetable garden, attend auctions & garage sales, enjoyed collections, antiquing, keeping detailed community and family histories in scrapbooks, and most importantly spending time with family camping, fishing, and celebrating holidays.

   Leona became a resident of the Manilla Manor on April 8th, 2005 and died there on August 10, 2007, at the age of 101 years, 6 months, and 25 days.

   Preceding Leona in death were her parents; husband; children Lyla Thompson and Allan Wiese; infant great-grandson Joseph Goans; granddaughter-in-law Kristin Wiese; and siblings Lester Andresen, Velma Knudson and Maureen Barten.

   Leona is survived by daughter Ladelle and husband Orlando Hanson of Manilla; son-in-law Allan Thompson; daughter-in-law Theda Wiese; nine grandchildren: Kathleen Goans; Lanette Sawyer; Craig Thompson and wife Diane; Dan Thompson; Lana and husband Leonard Cadwell; Lance Hanson and wife Jamie; Roger Wiese and wife Chris; Jean and husband Todd Stadtlander; and Ron Wiese; 18 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.