Leona Marie Gerleman

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:17 pm

Leona Marie Gerleman, 91, of Ossian, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at Ossian Senior Hospice, Ossian. Visitation was Friday, Jan. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a 4 p.m. vigil service at Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian. There also was a one-hour visitation before Mass at the church Saturday, Jan. 30. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, with Rev. Robert Gross as the celebrant. Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, is helping the family with the arrangements.

Leona was born Feb. 7, 1924, in Ossian, to Frank and Elizabeth (Moellers) Geling. She attended country school through the eighth grade. Leona helped in private homes caring for newborn babies and their families as a nanny in Chicago, Ill. She also worked part time for Rockwell Collins until her retirement in 1991. Leona was united in marriage to Hugo Gerleman April 20, 1948, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. Nine children were born to this union. Hugo passed away Aug. 19, 2003.  Leona always stayed busy cooking, gardening, canning, doing embroidery work and quilting for her family members. She was an avid bingo and card player, enjoyed collecting cardinal figurines and pictures and she also loved spending time with her many family members. Leona was a member of the Rosary Society, Senior Citizen Meal Site and a life-long member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. She was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed the rosary daily.

Survivors include nine children: Elizabeth Gerleman, Davenport, Duane (Marsha) Gerleman, Monona, Lorraine (Paul) Kagemann, DeWitt, Dennis (Ruth) Gerleman, Decorah, Dale (Betty) Gerleman, Ossian, David (Robyn) Gerleman, Plainfield, Daniel (Dee) Gerleman, Spillville, Dean (Deb) Gerleman, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Mary Ann (Kevin) Neuzil, Cresco; three sisters-in-law: Marcie Geling, Marlys Gerleman, Grace Gerleman and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elizabeth Geling; her husband, Hugo Gerleman; her siblings, Walter Geling, Elsie Hageman, Cyrilla Krivachek and Lucille Heying and her granddaughter, Kymm Gerleman.