Leona Beth Wilken

Leona Beth (Reich) Wilken, 84, of Marion, Iowa, formerly of Atlantic and Estherville, Iowa, died Friday, February 20, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following a brief illness. Memorial Services: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church, Atlantic, Iowa, by the Rev. Gary DeGeest. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Marion, Iowa. Leona was born January 1, 1925, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of William August and Inez Mae (Price) Reich. She graduated from Estherville High School and also received a degree in music from Simpson College. On December 25, 1945, she married John Otto Wilken at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic, Iowa. John and Leona moved to South Bend, Indiana in 1950, with their two daughters, Cynthia and Celeste, where Leona started teaching music. While in South Bend, they were blessed with two sons, Mark and Eric. In 1957, the family moved back to Iowa, where Leona taught in several schools before moving to Atlantic in 1960. She taught vocal music for the Atlantic Schools before retiring in 1973. After retirement, Leona and John moved west. They lived in many states including, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. They enjoyed the mountains and spent many weekends hiking with their beloved dogs, Sam and Ringo. In 1994, they moved back to Leona's birth town of Estherville. Her beloved husband of 57 years died in 2002. Leona moved to Cedar Rapids in 2004, to be closer to her daughter, Celeste and her grandchildren. Leona loved swimming, gardening, geneology and writing letters to her high school and college friends of 60 years. She also very much enjoyed spending time with her family. Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia of Columbia, Tennessee and Celeste of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Mark of Spencer, Iowa and Eric of Louisville, Colorado; four grandchildren, Darci Bunting, Lt. James Rhodes, Aaron Hockom, and Chris Wilken; eight great grandchildren; and her longtime companion, P.T. the cat. Leona was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, William and Inez; and infant brothers, Leonard and Lloyd. Cards and condolences may be directed to Celeste Hockom, 3800 Pine Tree Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.