Leona Burkhodler

A celebration of life for Leona M. Burkholder, 99 of Wellman, formerly of North Liberty will be held Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 10:00AM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona with Pastor Lamar Ropp officiating.  Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 24 from 5-7PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona.  A memorial fund has been established for the Joshua House.  Leona Burkholder died Sunday, April 22 at the home of her niece, Dorothy and Paul Schumann, in rural Wellman following a decline in health.  Peterseim Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Leona Marie Burkholder was born December 20, 1912 in Kalona.

She graduated from Center High School.  Leona was united in marriage to Glenn Burkholder on August 5, 1936 at the Dan Fisher home.  After Glenn died she moved to Iowa City where she lived for 13 years before moving to North Liberty for 17 years.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, reading and singing.  Leona will be remembered for her strawberry pie and her cookies, including chocolate chip and molasses with frosting.  She enjoyed sharing the good news of the gospel with everyone she met and was known as a pleasant person.

Survivors include one half sister, Mary Ellen (Mrs. Ralph) Miller and Thelma Swartzendruber, the widow of half brother Bill Swartzendruber.  Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews.

Preceding Leona in death were her parents, Lewis and Barbara Swartzendruber, her husband Glenn Burkholder, and two half brothers, Stanley and Bill Swartzendruber.