Obituaries

Viola Mae Leonard

Photo of Viola Mae Leonard
Viola Mae Leonard, 74 years, of Bella Vista, Ark., (formerly of West Des Moines, Iowa) passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. She was born on Oct. 25, 1939, in Rockwell, Iowa, to Fred and Esther Hilton. The daughter of educators, Viola attended elementary school at Vernon Township of Renwick, Iowa, and Ayrshire Elementary. She attended high school at Bagley High School and graduated from Woden-Crystal Lake High School in 1957. She continued her education at Iowa State University, before accepting a position at Preferred Risk Insurance in 1959. Vi served as operations manager for First Western Insurance Co., of West Des Moines, Iowa, for over 20 years before retiring and moving to Bella Vista in 2001. Vi worked for Golf Operations of Bella Vista POA and was an active member of Highlands Methodist Church. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed bird-watching and traveling. She was preceded in death by her loving Savior; her parents; a grandson, Josh; and a stepson, Scott. She is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughter, Tammy (Jeff) of Peru, Neb.; brother, Gerald (Patty) of Strawberry Point, Iowa; brother-in-law, Earl (Janet) of Ankeny, Iowa; stepdaughters, Cathy (JB) and Patty; 10 grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah), Nate, Brianna, Ryan (Kaylie), Taylor, Eric, Maureen, Jack, Jenna, Jacob; one precious great-granddaughter, Adalyn; and many dear nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Highlands Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Vi to Circle of Life Hospice or Highlands SOS youth program. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published February 23, 2014

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