Leona Petrea Mendenhall
Leona Petrea Mendenhall
Leona Petrea Mendenhall
April 2, 1918 – April 1, 2013
Loving Mother, Grandmother, and Sister
Leona passed away Monday morning at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 29 days.
Leona Petrea Mendenhall, daughter of Jens and Tilda Mortensen Hansen, was born April 2, 1918 in Audubon County, Iowa. She was baptized, May 12, 1918 at Kimbleton, IA and was confirmed, April 17, 1932, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. She graduated eighth grade from Audubon Country School and later earned her G.E.D. Leona married Earl Dee Mendenhall, October 15, 1937, in Denison, IA. They first made their home in Audubon and in 1953 moved to Oskaloosa. Leona was employed by Big Smith Overall factory for 18 years, retiring in 1972. Leona was a very accomplished seamstress and did sewing and tailoring for her family and friends for many years. Leona also sold Avon products for more than 20 years. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church where she belonged to the Women’s guild.
Her family includes two sons and daughters-in-law: Merlyn and Sandra Mendenhall of University Park and Jerry and Pam Mendenhall of Keomah Village; four granddaughters: Cindy Mendenhall of Oskaloosa, Heather and John Sanchez of Quincy, IL, Holly Mendenhall and fiancé, Kyle Eckerman of Osceola, IA and Kelli Mendenhall of Oskaloosa; three great grandsons: Kalob Gist, Quinton Sanchez and Reagan Mendenhall; two sisters: Doris Clemens of Chariton, IA, Marjorie and Elmer Jensen of Newell, IA; and a sisters-in-law: Olivene Mendenhall of Audubon, IA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Earl in 1973; two sisters: Gladys Paulson and Verla Mae Hansen.
Funeral Services for Leona will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2013, at St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Samuel Beltz officiating.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Women’s Guild.
