Leona Madolynn Klepinger

After embracing a good life for 97 1/2 years, Leona M. (Minor) Klepinger was surrounded by family and friends on October 6 at Iowa River Hospice House as she entered Heaven, welcomed by her husband and daughter, Marcia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Leona and her family. Leona Madolynn Minor, one of six children, was born April 19, 1921, to Florence (Drake) and Jesse Minor near Bedford, Iowa. She attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from New Market High School in 1940. She attended Capital Beauty School in Omaha, Nebraska, acquiring her first job as a cosmetologist in York, Nebraska. While communicating through letters with a very close friend and Beauty School classmate, who encouraged her to get her Iowa beauty license so she could work with him, they fell in love. On July 12, 1945, Leona Minor and Lowell Klepinger were united in marriage while he was home on leave from London while serving in the Army Air Force. With Cedar Rapids being their destination to live and begin a business they stopped in Marshalltown to visit relatives, spotting a beauty salon for sale (on the street level of present day Independent Insurance Services). They built a successful business there for six years before purchasing a large home at 11 S. 2nd Street (presently Methodist Church playground) where they lived and incorporated their “Lowell’s Beauty Salon” for their profession, working side by side for 38 years, establishing many longtime clients who felt like family. They worked together until Lowell’s death in December, 1982. Leona was a member of the National and State Hairdresser’s Association, Ladies Elks Club, various card clubs and First United Methodist Church. In 1991 Leona retired and moved to Henry Drive where she enjoyed yard work, cooking for her children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors before moving to the Embers Retirement Community in 2008. In 2016 she moved to Glenwood Place Assisted Living, followed by moves to Grandview Heights Care Facility and The Willows Assisted Living. Leona enjoyed eating out, dancing, shopping, camping, traveling, tidying her home - always ready for guests. She could always make work “family fun”. Later in life Leona enjoyed great-grandchildren, dancing with son-in-law Ray and close friends Carrol and Art, watching basketball (MHS/ISU), playing cards (Kings Corner), reading, keeping family in applesauce and pumpkin pie,and visiting friends in nursing homes. Her quick wit and humor were enjoyed by all. Leona always welcomed her family with a warm heart, smile and hugs. She lived life to the fullest with love abounding while following her faith and the Golden Rule.  Leona is survived by her daughter Jana Mitchem (husband Ray) of Marshalltown, son-in-law John Pringle of West Des Moines, sisters-in-law Thelma & Betty Minor of Clarinda, Iowa, grandchildren Chad (Brandi) Mitchem and family, Sara, Ryan, Luke and Levi of Holland, Michigan, Greg (Hilary) Mitchem and family, Drake and Camille of Olathe, Kansas, Lisa (Joe) Pringle Chmelka and family, Isabella and Jared of West Des Moines, Ashley (Jeff) Pringle Danielson of West Des Moines and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Lowell (1982), daughter, Marcia (2013), her parents, step-father Carl Hughes, sister Cleone (Darrel) Cunningham, brothers LaMoyne (Edna) Minor, Rue (Ruby) Minor, EF (Elwood Friend) Minor and Dwight Minor. In-laws Beverly and LaMott Klepinger, Marvis and Harold Carter, and Lorraine Neveln, and step great-grandson Jacob Chmelka.