Funeral Services for Leona Stephenson will be held Monday, May 3, 2021 at 2 PM, at the Cummings Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 3 PM to 5 PM. Interment will be at Athelstan Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Bedford American Legion Auxiliary. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.cummingsfamilyfuneralhome.com under Obituaries.
Leona Mae (Byrns) Stephenson, 87, was born on June 7, 1933 at home in Athelstan, Iowa to Vernie and Eva (Black) Byrns. She entered into rest Friday morning, April 30, 2021, at Maryville Living Center, Maryville, Missouri, following a brief illness.
Leona graduated in 1951 from Blockton High School in Blockton, Iowa. While on a trip to the skating rink in Grant City, Missouri, she met her future husband Clyde Stephenson. They were later married on August 1, 1951 in Pierre, South Dakota. Shortly after they married, Clyde and Leona moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where Clyde was drafted into the Korean War in October 1952. After his time in the service, they moved to Bedford, Iowa where they were lifetime members of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. From 1966-1988, Leona enjoyed her time working as a secretary at O’Bryan Brothers in Bedford, IA. She always had fond memories of handling the company parties and picnics, all while making many lifelong friends.
Together, Clyde and Leona were blessed with three children Joy, Terry, and Joni. Being avid campers, the family enjoyed spending many weekends camping at the Lake of Three Fires. They also spent many summer vacations camping in various locations, often with Leona’s brothers and sister. Leona cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild. In addition to this, she also enjoyed spending time gardening, sewing, and playing bingo with friends and family.
She is survived by her children, Joy Stroburg and husband Carey, Maryville, Missouri; Terry Stephenson and wife Irma, Richardson, Texas; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister Marilyn Loghry and husband Robert, Sloane, Iowa; sister-in-law Betty Byrns, Grant City, Missouri; along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents and husband; daughter Joni Sheffield; great grandson Deryk Degase; brothers Ottis, Wilbur, and Doyle Byrns; and sister-in-law Dorothy Byrns.
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