Obituary of Irene Leonhardt

Mrs. Irene Leonhardt of Yorkton, beloved wife of the late Paul Leonhardt, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the age of 94 years. Irene Leonhardt, the eldest of the four children of Bob and Annie (nee McChesney) Geck, was born Aug. 17, 1920 at Kelvington,Sask. 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 Southview 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. Service Information Monday, February 23rd, 2015 1:30pm, Theodore Rec Centre Interment Details Theodore Cemetery