Leonard, Celine Ann

Celine Ann Leonard, 79, of Apache Junction, Ariz., formerly of Elkader, died Sunday, April 11, 2010, at the Arizona Regional Medical Center in Apache Junction. Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Elkader, with the Rev. Paul R. Peters officiating. Inurnment: St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Elkader. Visitation will be held one hour before services Saturday at the church.

She is survived by one brother, Richard (Stephanie) Leonard of Palos Heights, Ill.; one sister-in-law, Minerva Leonard of Sycamore, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Stephen, Lloyd and John Leonard; one sister, Marjorie Hunt; and 11 nieces and nephews.

Celine was born March 26, 1931, in rural Elkader, Iowa, at home on the family farm near Mederville, in Cox Creek Township. She was the daughter of John and Catherine (Cunningham) Leonard.

Celine began her education by attending grade school in Littleport, and then went to the Bethlehem Academy in Fairbault, Minn. From there, Celine attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.

Celine began her working career as a first-grade teacher at the public school in Manchester, teaching there for several years. She then moved to the West Coast where she began working for Air West. Celine worked there for a few years before she joined Alaska Airlines in 1967. She first worked for them in Seattle, Wash., before transferring to their Anchorage, Alaska location. Celine worked as a trainer for the 28 years, before retiring from Alaska Airlines in 1995.

After her retirement, Celine moved to Arizona and lived briefly in Tempe and Douglas, before moving to Apache Junction. She was very active in her retirement community where she enjoyed many friends. Celine belonged to the Ladies of the Moose, was an avid Mah-jongg player, and organized many monthly retirement community trips to Casinos in the area.

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