Meyer, Leona Anna

Leona Anna Meyer, 94, of Vinton, formerly of Urbana and Williamsburg, died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, at the Vinton Lutheran Home following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Phillips Family Center (due to storm damage to Trinity Lutheran Church), 605 Second Ave., Vinton, with the Rev. Clarke E. Frederick officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday also at Phillips Family Center. Committal services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Williamsburg.

Leona Anna Lorenz was born Nov. 14, 1916, in rural South Amana, in her parents home, to Hermann and Anna Von Ahsen Lorenz. She graduated from Williamsburg High School. Leona was united in marriage to Louis John Meyer on Nov. 22, 1936, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. They lived in Rockford, Ill., for several years before moving to Benton County (near Urbana).

Leona was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served in many capacities and enjoyed listening to the handbell choirs. She was an excellent baker known for her pies and breads. In her leisure, Leona enjoyed gardening and playing cards. She also treasured the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leona is survived by her children, the Rev. Laurence (Ona) Meyer of Richland, Wash., Steven (Melinda) Meyer of rural Walker and Kathryn (Dale) Kisling of Cedar Falls; her eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louis; two brothers, Edwin and Anton Lorenz; and two sisters, Elsie Teggatz and Lilly Peirce.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at

Published Sept. 4, 2011, in The Gazette