Leona Hemminger

Leona B. Hemminger, age 96, of Elk Horn, IA, passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Cass Health in Atlantic, IA.

Leona Hemminger, daughter of Earl and Mabel (Crouch) Weems was born April 22, 1925, on the Wooster Farm east of Irwin, Iowa. Leona attended Country School at Jefferson #6 Shelby County. After eighth grade, she went on to graduate from Irwin High School in 1943. She received her teaching certificate by attending summer classes in Atlantic, Iowa. Leona taught rural school for five years. During the summer months, she worked or traveled.

In 1949, Leona was united in marriage to Lewis Hemminger in the Manning Methodist Church where she was a member. In 1959, they joined the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.

They lived on a farm south of Manning and also in the Atlantic area until they purchased the farm northeast of Elk Horn in 1957. In 1968, she started work as a bookkeeper at Warin Oil Company truck stop, I-80 and Highway 71. In 1979, they retired from the farm and moved to the home in Elk Horn. Leona worked for eight years at the Salem Retirement Home. For the next ten years, Leona and Louie spent the winters at Alamo Park in Texas.

Lewis passed away November 22, 2006, and Leona continued living in her home until January 2022. In her later years, Leona enjoyed playing cards, Red Hats Club, Sudoku puzzles, photo albums, and meeting friends at the local restaurants.

Above all, she enjoyed her family, children, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She loved to have them come to her home and enjoyed their conversations.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis; her parents, Earl and Mabel Weems; her daughter Diane, Diane’s husband Phillip Flores, and grand-daughter Natasha Flores.

Leona is survived by her son and daughter, Rick Hemminger of Elk Horn, Iowa and Rhonda Jamshidi (husband Moe) of Lincoln, Nebraska; three step-children – David Hemminger of Iowa, Sallie Davis of Nebraska and Richard Hemminger (wife Kathy) of California; five grandchildren, Brandy Bowling, Josh Hemminger (Misty), KiTon Gares, Carl Jamshidi (Emily), and Devin Jamshidi (wife Laine); ten great-grandchildren, Anthony Herron, Kayla Herron, Avah Hemminger, Landyn Hemminger, Alahna Gares, Aliyah Gares, Lexi Priest, Leo Jamshidi, Ari Jamshidi, and, Leela Jamshidi. Several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and family members.

Funeral service for Leona will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, IA with Rev. Keith Menter officiating. Burial will be held at the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery. A luncheon will be served following the services on Tuesday also at the church.

Open visitation with family present will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in honor of her name and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Condolences may be left at www.schmidtfamilyfh.com.

The staff at Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA is handling the arrangements for the Hemminger Family.