Funeral Leaflet

(photo)

Cleo Mae (Leinin) Lefeber was born in Portsmouth, Iowa, on April 27, 1934, to the late M.D. and Flora (Stinn) Leinen. Cleo graduated from St. Mary's School in Portsmouth in 1952 where she served as class secretary. On May 28, 1953, Cleo married Harold Lefeber at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. When Harold was serving in the Korean War, Cleo cared for her mother who was ill at the time. Upon Harold’s return, Harold and Cleo purchased the family farm in Minden, Iowa, where they made their home. While raising four children alongside her husband, Cleo was also an active member of the community. She was a member of St. Patrick in Neola, Iowa and of the altar and rosary society. Cleo was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, regularly drank coffee with friends in Neola, and was a member of the FNP Club and the Friendly Links Club. Cleo drove the school bus for Tri Center Community Schools for many years, service as the first female bus driver in the area. Cleo was also well known for designing wedding, graduation, anniversary and birthday cakes for more than 50 years (the famous “Cleo Cake”) with her grandkids often watching and waiting by her side for the taste of her leftover frosting. Cleo enjoyed being outside as much as she did inside making her cakes. She enjoyed helping Harold in the field, gardening, tending to her strawberry patch, raising chickens, mowing the lawn, and giving her grandchildren rides in the trailer. Cleo also enjoyed collecting angels as a hobby. One year at Christmas, her home was in the Tri-Center parade of homes, featuring her collection of over 1,000 angels. In spite of her on-going heart problems, Cleo stayed very energetic and active, and she enjoyed going for her regular walks at Arrowhead Park and the Neola Community Center with friends. On March 24, 2019 at the age of 84, Cleo passed from this life to the next with her family by her side. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Luella Henricks, Rita Stein and Arlene Reinig; brothers, Art Leinen, Mark Leinen and Robert Leinen. Cleo is survived by her husband of 65 years, Harold Lefeber; children, Stephen Lefeber (Judith), David Lefeber (Mary), LuAnn Miller (Shawn), Linda Loney (Jim); sisters, Mary Reisz and Lois Book (Duane); 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; a host of other family and friends.

In Loving Memory of Cleo Mae Lefeber

Born April 27, 1934 Portsmouth, Iowa; Entered Into Rest March 24, 2019 Omaha, Nebraska, age 84 years, 10 months 27 days.

Visitation Wednesday, March 27, 2019 6:00-8:00 p.m. St. Patrick Catholic Church, Neola, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, March 28, 2019 10:30 a.m. St. Patrick Catholic Church, Neola, Iowa. Celebrant: father David Smith, S.J. Readers: Melissa Loney, Jessica Orr, Rachelle Miller. Music Selections: “Here I Am, Lord”, “How Great Thou Art”, “One Bread, One Body”; Recorded Selections: “On Eagles Wings”, “Angels Among Us”, sung by Bryan Lefeber.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jeremy Orr, Jessica Orr, Rachelle Miller, Laura Lefeber, Melissa Loney

Pallbearers: Bryan Lefeber, Nick Lefeber, Kyle Lefeber, Collin Lefeber, Travis Miller, Brittney Loney

Place of Rest: St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portsmouth, Iowa

Family and friends are invited for lunch and fellowship in the church hall immediately following the funeral mass.

The family will direct memorials.

~~~Funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #197844199