Leatherman, Anita Marie Kaalberg

Anita Marie Kaalberg Leatherman, 88, a resident of Linn Manor Care Center in Marion, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion. Visitation: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion, where a parish vigil service will be held at 5 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to Mass on Monday at the church. Graveside services: 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery in Muscatine, Iowa.

Survivors include two sisters, Regina Milligan of Waverly, Iowa, and Helen Leatherman of Wapello, Iowa; one brother, Morey (Sherrie) Kaalberg of West Liberty, Iowa; daughter, Deanna (John) Eagle of Ainsworth, Iowa; four grandchildren, Michelle (Brad) Thomason of Marion, Iowa, Racheal (Jody) Klieber of Oxford, Ohio, Bob (Corrine) Creamer of Ainsworth, Iowa, and Megan (Sean) Eaton of West Allis, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Avery and Erin Thomason, Stephanie, Brittany, and Jacob Creamer, and Lucas Eaton; and one great-grandson, Rylan Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers, and three sisters.

Anita was born Dec. 30, 1922, in Lone Tree, Iowa, the daughter of Mary and Rhinhart Kaalberg. She graduated from Wilton schools in 1941. She married Eugene Leatherman on March 20, 1943, in Muscatine, Iowa. He died May 6, 1993, shortly after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Anita suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, but never let the pain of the disease break her spirit. She loved to spend time with her family, doing puzzles, laughing and reminiscing with her siblings. She enjoyed listening to Avery and Erin, with whom she lived and helped to raise, as they played piano and sang for her.

Anita loved children and was such a caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Please sign the online guest book for Anita at under obituaries.

Published Dec. 17, 2011 in The Gazette