Mrs. Irene Leonhardt, resident of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, widow of Paul Leonhardt, formerly of Theodore passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. She was 94 years of age. Irene Leonhardt, the eldest of the four children of Bob and Annie (nee McChesney) Geck, was born Aug. 17, 1920 at Kelvington, SK. She attended Kelvingside School, completing her Grade 10. The next few years were spent helping her mother in their busy farm home. As a teenager, she made a choice to serve God, a commitment she was true to all her life which guided and kept her. On June 2, 1947 she was united in marriage to Paul Leonhardt, moving to the Leonhardt dairy farm at Theodore. Their daughter Janice was born a few years later and Irene thoroughly immersed herself in motherhood, cooking for hired men, sewing and gardening. The annual Christian Convention, held on the Leonhardt farm since 1929, became the highlight of her year also. Paul and Irene sold the dairy cattle in 1956, took a trip to California to celebrate their freedom and focused on grain farming thereafter. In 1980, they retired to Theodore, and their daughter Jan and husband George Cobb continued the farming operation. Irene enjoyed her grandsons very much, gladly babysitting whenever needed. She was happy to have the boys and their friends come for noon lunches from school and to go camping at Good Spirit Lake for their annual swimming lessons. Paul and Irene enjoyed their retirement, visiting friends in hospitals and nursing homes, travelling, helping elderly neighbors or friends with their day to day needs and keeping their yard and garden beautiful. Their biggest trip was in 1988-1989 with Don and Dorothy McChesney to the Orient, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii. After Paul's passing in 2002, Irene remained in her home until 2009, moving to Â鶹´«Ã½AVview Manor in Theodore, then as her health declined, to Aspen Bluffs in Yorkton, then to Yorkton and District Nursing Home in 2011. There she was lovingly cared for until her passing, peacefully with family at her side in the early morning of Feb. 18, 2015. A new day dawns......Irene is fondly remembered by her daughter and her husband, Janice (George) Cobb; her four grandsons and their wives: Jeff (Jodi) and daughters Merra and Nella; Jolan (Julie) and daughters Megan and Rachel; Jayden (Donna) and sons Trae, Brett and Bryn; Justin (Candace) and children Payton and Jayda. She was predeceased by her husband Paul, all her siblings: Roy (Margaret) Geck, Mona (Kleven) Hunt and Joyce (Roy) McDougall. Also predeceased by all of Paul's siblings: Carl, Molly (Bill) Gale, Ed (Martha), Fred, Ernest (Lily), Clara (Walter) Quinton, Martha, Lydia (Bill) McDonald and David. She is survived by many cousins, of whom she was particularly fond, nieces, nephews and sister-in-law Mable Leonhardt and a host of friends. The family is very grateful and extends a heartfelt "Thank you" to those who visited Mom and have stood by us in any way these past weeks. The funeral service was held on Monday, February 16, 2015 from the Theodore Recreation Complex Hall with Jack Redekopp, Agnes Smiley, Mildred Ausenhus, Mike Hassett and Mary Roper officiating. The pianist, Marci Howden led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Only One Life to Live', 'Lord We Rest in Peace Abiding' and the graveside hymn 'Sweet Sweet Release'. The four granddaughters-in-law, Jodi, Julie, Donna & Candace sang 'I've A Friend'. Attending the guest memorial book were Linda Quinton, Shannon Moore, Judy Ranson and Marlene Kennedy and the ushers were Dallas Young, Chris Petays, Paul Moore and Len Kennedy. The interment took place in the Theodore Cemetery with Jeffrey, Jolan, Jayden & Justin Cobb, Daren Young and Sheldon Geck serving as the casket bearers. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials in memory of Irene may be made to the Theodore Recreation Complex as tokens of remembrance.
