Beckley, Leah Dell

A celebration of life for Leah Dell Beckley, 73, of Kalona, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 9, at the Kalona United Methodist Church in Kalona with Pastor Gerry Kahler and John King officiating. Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona with a Rebekah Service at 8 p.m. Leah Dell Beckley died Saturday, March 3, 2012, at the Pleasantview Home following a recent decline in health.

A memorial fund has been established for the Pleasantview Home and Hospice of Iowa City.

Leah Dell (Bush) Beckley was born March 8, 1938, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Cyrus and Welcome (Christner) Bush. She graduated from Washington High School. On June 3, 1956, she was united in marriage to Charles Richard “Dick” Beckley at the West Chester United Methodist Church. Leah Dell worked as a bookkeeper with Dick for Beckley Electric for many years and also did day care in her home for 10 years. She was a member of the Kalona United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Kalona Rebekah Lodge. Leah Dell was an avid Hawkeye and Cubs fan.

Survivors include three children, Gary Beckely of Iowa City, Terry (Gina) Beckley of Clark, Mo., and Kathy (Jim) Miller of Kalona; one daughter-in-law, Brenda Beckley of Iowa City; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Beckley, Rick (Nicole) Beckley, Chelsea Beckley, Jessica (Adam) Nelson, Megan (Drew) Seidel, Jennifer Beckely, Michelle (Gentry) Yoder and Kyle (Carleen) Miller; four great-grandchildren, Cadance and Braelee Yoder, and Lenox and Bronx Miller; two brothers, Dennis (Peggy) Bush of Riverside, and Larry (Thelma) Bush of Burlington; brother-in-law, Daryl Beckley of Delta; sister-in-law, Betty (Larry) Balsley of Plainfield; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Published in The Gazette March 5, 2012.