Obituary of Leona Mehlhaf

Leona Mehlhaf, age 93, of Menno, SD passed away early Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at the Freeman Medical Center, Freeman, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, March 20, 2015 at Zion Reformed Church, Menno, with Rev. Travis Grassmid officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery, Menno, SD. Visitations will be from 5 to 7 PM, Thursday evening at the Zion Reformed Church, Menno, SD with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. The Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, SD is assisting with the service details. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Brian Mehlhaf, Michael Mehlhaf, Kent Mehlhaf, Bret Schortzman, Jared Schortzman, and Nathan Mehlhaf. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters: Darla Anderson, Heidi Mehlhaf, Angela Sedlacek, and Lisa Lindeman. Leona (Herr) Mehlhaf was born to Gottlieb and Lydia (Schnabel) Herr on June 16, 1921 northeast of Tripp, SD. She was baptized by Rev. William J. Krieger as an infant. On April 21, 1935, Leona was confirmed by Rev. K.J. Stuebbe at Tripp Reformed Church. She was united in marriage to Ruben Mehlhaf on September 12, 1943 by Rev. Walter Odenbach in the Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp. Leona and Ruben made their home and farmed northeast of Menno until 1977. They retired from farming and moved into Menno. In 2009, they moved into the Menno-Olivet Care Center. Ruben passed away on October 4, 2012. Leona enjoyed quilting and loved her roses. Leona's memory will be cherished by her children: Harley (Janet) Mehlhaf of Hurley, SD, Myron (Linda) Mehlhaf of Freeman, SD, Dianne (Merit) Schortzman of Scotland, SD and Dale (Earla) Mehlhaf of Freeman, SD; grandchildren: Brian Mehlhaf, Michael Mehlhaf, Kent Mehlhaf, Bret Schortzman, Jared Schortzman, Nathan Mehlhaf, Darla Anderson, Heidi Mehlhaf, Angela Sedlacek, and Lisa Lindeman; great grandchildren: Devin, Jacob, Riley, Kaitlyn, Morgan, Elias, Kacey, Cole, Cade, Brianna, Erica, Abbey, Mason, Kenna, Sadie, Grace and Tori; her sister, Ida Sayler of Scotland, SD; brothers-in-law, Victor Mehlhaf and John (Darlene) Mehlhaf; sisters-in-law, Ruth Mehlhaf and Caroline Roth, all of Menno and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben, her parents, her siblings and spouses: Hulda (John) Vilhauer, Beatha (Reinhold) Hirsch, Theodore (Maggie) Herr, Otto (Edna) Herr, Emil Herr, Lenora (Edwin) Oswald, Alfred (Ruby) Herr and Richard Sayler.