Leona I. Meyer

Leona Ilene Meyer, 84, Marysville, was called into the waiting arms of our Loving Father on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at her home in Marysville, KS.

Visitation was held Friday, October 25, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville.  The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 26, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Marysville.  Pastor Philip Miller officiated.  The musicians were Rachel Bena, Wayne Kruse, David Heuer and Cindy Heuer.  Music included "Amazing Grace", "It Is Well With My Soul", "Abide With Me" and "Lift High the Cross."

The pallbearers were Jack Renfro, Tommy Renfro, Nathan Gates, Brody Meyer, Bill Wilgers, Brad Schramm and Lance Lawrence. 

Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery north of Hanover.

Leona was born on April 5, 1940, to Henry and Wilhelmina (Klipp) Schramm in Odell, NE.  She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, where she also attended parochial school through eighth grade.  It was in that same church that she later married her groom of 56 years, Rodney Meyer.  They were married on a beautiful Easter Sunday afternoon, March 29, 1964, and they made their home together in Marysville.  Their marriage came to be an example of undying love to each of their children and many others who looked up to them.  

Leona was the beloved mother of five children and their spouses, Bev (Jay) Renfro, Raymore, MO; Julie (Neil) Gates, Plainfield, IL; Melissa (Jay) Gilliland, Holton, KS; Jeff (Maureen) Meyer, Aurora, IL; and Dana (Brandon) Weber, Lawrence, KS.  Leona cherished time spent with the entire family, including her nine adoring grandchildren, Jack and Tommy Renfro, Nathan and Claire Gates, Emma, Sadie and Sophia Gilliland, and Brody and Maeve Meyer.

Leona will be dearly missed by her sisters-in-law, Darla Schramm and Valeda Schramm as well as her sister-in-law, Janice Briley and her husband Ryan.  She's loved and remembered by her six surviving nieces and nephews, many great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins who each have treasured memories and stories to tell.

Preceeding her in death is her husband, Rodney; parents, Henry and Wilhelmina Schramm; sister, Evelyn Meyer; brothers, Melvin Schramm and Norbert Schramm; parents-in-law, Raymond and Martha Meyer; brother-in-law, Paul Meyer; and nephew, Gordon Meyer.

Leona's memoirs recounted stories of life on the farm; hauling wood for the stove in her wagon and gathering cobs from the cob shed, milking the cows, gardening and driving the tractors to work the fields.  Their family pony was named Peggy, and they enjoyed rides in the cart she would pull behind her.  She also had a pet parakeet who loved to escape its cage, sit on her shoulder and say, "Hi Shorty."  As a young child, Fridays were spent taking trips to Odell for groceries with her dad and the day always ended with an ice cream treat.  As a teenager, Leona was active in Walther League at church and told stories of the silly skits they would perform.

Leona began her lifelong career as a seamstress when she began altering clothing for others at the age of sixteen.  She worked with her sister-in-law, Darla, for 40 years and together they were D&L Draperies.  They created everything from curtains that hung in homes to curtains that hung on stages and everything in between.  Before and after that chapter of her life, she was the community seamstress, altering and mending most anything for others while also creating handmade crafts like doll clothes, embroidered tea towels and tatted crosses.

She was also known throughout the community for her homemade breads, pies, cinnamon rolls and monster cookies that were enjoyed by so many.  Her bake sales took off at the Local Farmers Market years ago and eventually ended up on her front porch.

Over the years, Leona's baking and tailoring brought countless loyal customers and lasting friendships into her life and she truly valued each one of them.

Spring of 2024 marked Leona's 60th year of membership at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir and was a faithful volunteer in many different ways.  Her pies will be dearly missed at the church potlucks and Soup Days.

Leona demonstrated an unwavering faith that guided her through every chapter of her life and she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion and always doing for others.  She will be greatly missed by anyone who has had the opportunity to get to know her and love her. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the form of cash or check can be made to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or the Marshall County Arts Cooperative (MCAC).  Checks should be addressed to the "Leona Meyer Memorial Fund" and sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary, PO Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.