Maria Leonard

Maria Klara Burkhardt Leonard, of Rogers, Ark., 91, died Thursday, Feb, 7, 2013, after a short illness. Maria was born on June 25, 1921, in Worms, Germany. She was the youngest of two daughters of Peter and Barbara Burkhardt. In 1946, she met her American soldier and love of her life, Clyde W. Leonard, when he was among a group of American soldiers occupying her family home in Bischofsheim, Germany. Maria and Clyde were married on March 17, 1949, in Germany and later moved to Columbus, Ga. One of her greatest lifelong pleasures was her becoming a U.S. citizen in 1953. Following Clyde's retirement from active duty in 1957, they purchased and operated the L&H Bar and Liquor store on Victory Drive in south Columbus. For many years, Maria was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church of Columbus, Ga., where she served in the Altar Society and PCCW. She served many years as the PCCW treasurer. Upon the death of her husband in 1967, Maria went back to school to earn her associate degree in computer science. She went to work in the office at Kirvens Department Store. When the store closed, she worked for Burnham Van moving company, retiring at the age of 74. In 1999, she moved to Bentonville, Ark., to be near her family. She became a member of the St. Stephen Catholic Church in Bentonville, Ark., and was very active in the Rosary society. She was an active participant at the Benton County Senior Center, where she loved to play cards, games and enjoyed the fellowship the Center brought. In 2010, she moved to the Innisfree Assisted Living Facility in Rogers. There, she participated in every available activity from games, chair volleyball, and Christmas choir. Maria is survived by her son, Bernard F. Leonard and his wife, Pamela H. of Lowell, Ark., her grandson, Derek Leonard, his wife Megan, and their three children, Dean, Reed, and Ruby of Conway, Ark. She is also survived by granddaughter, Andrea Thompson and her husband, Beau, of Gravette, Ark., and granddaughter, Allison Clark, her husband, Lucas, and their two children, Russell and Evelyn of Cave Springs, Ark. Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at 12:30 until service time. The funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Bentonville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Stephen's Building Fund would be appreciated. Arrangments by Epting Funeral Home of Bentonville. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.