Obituary of Leona Rita Fortmann

Leona R. Fortmann, 91, of Dyersville, Iowa died peacefully on Saturday, October 18, 2014. During the past couple years, she was assisted with great love and affection by her children and grandchildren and the care and professionalism of the staff at Oak Crest Manor, Dyersville, Iowa. On her final day, Hospice of Dubuque gave comfort and end of life care. Leona was born on December1, 1922 to John and Frances (Loecke) Herbers. She grew up on a farm near Valley Falls, Kansas. When a young lady, she moved to Dyersville, Iowa for a job; she worked at the Piekenbrock Sewing Factory. On April 4, 1945, she married Cletus E. Fortmann in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Valley Falls, Kansas. Clete and Leona farmed for 30 years northwest of Dyersville; Leona was an active farm wife. Clete and Leona moved from their farm to Dyersville in 1976. Leona's many interests include gardening, baking, cooking her family famous roast beef and gravy, playing cards with neighbors and friends, quilting with her Aunt Clara Jasper and the women's group who quilted to raise money for Progress, Inc. and traveling throughout the United States with her husband on car trips and train trips to the west coast with her father. A major delight was spending time with her husband and their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren. In her 80's she said that she lives for her grandchildren - to watch them grow, attend their activities, and share their accomplishments. Leona was preceded in death by Clete, her loving husband of 66 years. She is survived by her five children: Diane (Ken) Koch, Petersburg; Roy (Ann) Fortmann, Chapel Hill, NC; Linda (Larry) Vandenberg, Arlington, VA; Don (Helen) Fortmann, Dyersville; and Jim (Teri) Fortmann, Marion. Leona has thirteen wonderful grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In keeping with Leona's simple wishes, on Saturday, October 25, 2014, there will be a visitation at Kramer Funeral Home, Dyersville, Iowa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed immediately by funeral services. Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Dyersville. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.