Leona Kleiber

Leona Dorothy (Bentz) Kleiber, 97, entered her eternal home May 31, 2023, at St. Luke’s Living Center in Marion, Kansas.

Leona was born October 1, 1925, to Adolph and Anna (Ottensmeier) Bentz on their farm near Tampa.  She was baptized at the North Tampa Lutheran Church and later confirmed there.

              Leona attended parochial school in Tampa till 8th grade, and then attended Tampa Rural High School until her graduation. 

She was joined in marriage to John E. Kleiber on June 9, 1946, at St. John Lutheran Church in Tampa.  They were married for 49 years.  She taught for two years in a one room county school and two years at Ramona Grade School.   Leona worked for Farmer’s Alliance Insurance Company in McPherson while John was finishing college.   She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Tampa and very active in the Ladies Aid (LWML).   Leona enjoyed activities at the Senior Center and being in the Red Hat Society.

               Leona could light up a room with laughter and happiness.  She had a wonderful laugh and often referred to laughter as medicine or “internal jogging”.   She will also be remembered for her devotion to God and her family.  Family and friends often called Leona with special prayer requests because they knew she would intercede on their behalf believing God for the right answers.  

               Leona was an amazing cook and baker.  She loved to bless others in their time of need with something from her kitchen.  Her family will remember her for her Monster cookies and other goodies.  She learned to sew at a young age and made most of her own clothes.  She made prom and bridesmaids dresses for her daughters.  She was not afraid of hard work and at harvest time could be found not only bringing meals to the field but driving the big grain trucks to the elevator with a load.  She and John were a team in everything they did.  

               Her loving family includes her children: Cindy (Terry) Vinduska of Marion, Lynn (Peggy) Kleiber of Marion and Becky (Dean) Routh of Augusta. Grandchildren Sara (Matt) Frazier, Melissa (Daniel) Stuchlik, Jill (Page) Boudreau, Amanda (Tim) Baxa, Andrea ( Dale) Klenda, Nicholas Kleiber, Aaron (Abby) Routh, Melody  (Chris) Granzow, Allison ( Daniel) Rowland, and Danielle (Kameron) Nettleton. 21 great grandchildren Tanner, Allie, Sophia, Antonia, Evelyn, Giovanna, Matthias, Elijah, Evan, Silas, Myla, Emmit, Zoey, Kaylie, Easton, Emma, Payton, Carson, Breckyn, Brantley, Carolina. Her sister, Ellen Erickson of Tacoma, WA, and sister-in-law Phyllis Kenney of Lincoln, NE. and several nieces and nephews.   Leona is preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, her second daddy Ernest May, sister Adeline Bernhardt, and brother Alvin Bentz. 

               Leona’s family will gather with friends on Wednesday June 7, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion where a prayer service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m.  Her funeral service will be held on Thursday June 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Tampa.  Leona will be laid to rest in Lewis Cemetery, Ramona.  Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church.  Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Leona at www.yazelmeglifh.com.