Leona Winter

Leona Denise (Meyer) Winter 89, of Topeka, KS, homemaker, died Monday, September 5, 2016 at St Francis hospital, Topeka, KS. She was born to Henry and Lora Meyer on May 2, 1927 in Lincoln County, MO. She resided at Aldersgate Village, a retirement living community

Leona graduated from Wright City High School. After graduation, she worked at the H W Gossard Company factory. She played piano/accordion for local bands in the county including Ben Cobb and Shorty Wilmes. At times she played at the Blue Goose.

Leona was a member of the Baptist church until she married her Methodist preacher, William (Bill) Winter. Leona and Bill were married on a hot day, August 12, 1952, at the Zion Methodist Church, Truxton, MO.

Surviving are her children, (Diana) Joy Winter and Deborah Jean Winter with her husband T J Slagle, all of Kansas City, KS. Three brothers and sisters-in law: J.D. & Ruth Winter of St. Charles, MO, Glen and Barb Winter of Truxton MO and Margaret Meyer of Union, MO and Frederick Gerdiman, Moscow Mills, MO. And many nieces and nephews. Leona was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother John (Mike) Meyer and two sisters, Lorraine (Toostie) Gerdiman & Dolores Twellman Weitkamp.

Leona assisted her husband Bill on many pastoral charges through the years, living in Madison, Jamestown & Wright City in MO and Reading, Axtell, Burlington, Waterville, Oskaloosa & Madison KS before retiring to a farm in Ottumwa, KS. She had her cat to assist her picking the vegetables from the many, many, gardens that Bill planted. Exhibiting the bounty at the Coffee County Fair and selling vegetables at the local auction house.

Leona was a great follower of the Kitchen Klatter Radio program from Shenandoah, Iowa. Collecting recipes, cutlery, pans and products through the years. She redeemed coupons and many, many items from companies that ranged from Campbell soup mugs to "I took the Nestea Plunge" tee shirts.

Leona gave guitar lessons, sang in many choirs and trios, played piano and her accordion. She taught the AARP 55 and Alive course with Bill. She was a Brownie and 4-H leader, a Weight Watcher receptionist, Coffee County Fair volunteer and Daylight Donut shop girl.

There will be a 1:30 PM Memorial service at St Marks UMC, 6422 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS on September 25, 2016. Memorial Services will be held at a later date in Missouri. Leona's body has been donated to the Willed Body program at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Memorial Contributions can be made to: Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village, 7220 SW Asbury Drive, Topeka, KS 66614 or Zion Cemetery Association of Truxton in Hawk Point, MO.

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