Hines, Leola Marguerite

Leola Marguerite Hines of Huntsville, Ala., a former resident of Belle Plaine, completed her 100-year long life journey on May 6, 2013, in Huntsville.

Mrs. Hines was born in Delhi, Iowa, on Aug. 26,1912, the eldest child of Donald and Cora Thibadeau. She graduated high school in 1930 and married the love of her life, Clyde Wesley Hines, in 1934. Their only child, Leonard Clyde, was born in 1936.

Mrs. Hines worked in the restaurant business before to World War II, and then she and Clyde did their part for the war effort, working at an airplane bomber plant in Oakland, Calif. In 1947, they moved to Belle Plaine and invested in the Commercial restaurant with Leola's sister, Dorothy, and her husband, Don Davis. In 1953, the two couples purchased the Lincoln Cafe, which Clyde and Leola operated together from 1956 until Clyde's death in 1971. Leola continued to run the restaurant until her retirement in 1977, stating often that she had “loved every minute of operating it.”

In retirement, Leola enjoyed traveling, bridge, golfing, bowling (continuing well into her 80s), gardening, Iowa football, and her family. She also loved her church, Belle Plaine Christ United Methodist, which she had joined shortly after moving to town. She was a very active member, especially after she retired.

In 2006, Leola sold her home and relocated to Huntsville to live near Leonard. She enjoyed the move to Huntsville, her apartment, all the activities, eating out, etc., but mostly she loved being so close to Leonard, as they were living in the same state for the first time in almost 50 years. The agreement to move to Huntsville came with the promise that there would be an annual trip back to Belle Plaine to visit family and friends. That promise was kept each year, culminating in a 100th birthday party at the Belle Plaine Country Club on Aug. 25, 2012, attended by over 100 friends and family.

Mrs. Hines is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Davis, Gilman, and Betty Cavanaugh, Emmons, Minn.; a brother, Floyd Thibadeau, Edgewood; her son, Leonard (Benita), Huntsville, Ala.; three granddaughters, Dani (Larry) Cross, Onanadaga, Mich., Carrie Hines, Phoenix, Ariz., and Elizabeth (Kurt) Springfield, Huntsville, Ala.; six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Lyda Hines and Cora Mae Spitler; and a brother, Donald Thibadeau.

Services will be held at the Belle Plaine Christ United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 9:30. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Steven Hubbell will officiate. Pallbearers will be great-nephews. Hrabak Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Belle Plaine Christ United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com under “obituaries.”

Published May 9, 2013 in The Gazette