Edna Anna Margaretha Leaders was born in rural Oakland, Iowa on November 9, 1917 to Charles Edward and Wilhelmina "Minnie" Alff Alloway. She lived in western Nebraska and Casper, Wyoming when she was three years old and the family then moved to three miles east of Treynor, Iowa. Edna started school at Pleasant Valley School, a one room school with twenty students, half of whom were second and third cousins. When she was eight years old, the family moved southeast of Oakland, Iowa and there she attended Center No. 5 through the eighth grade.

     Edna was united in marriage to Vernon Alvin Leaders on August 30, 1938 at 3:30 P.M. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church northwest of Oakland. They were the first couple to be married in that church. They lived for the next five and one half years on a farm near Gretna, Nebraska. In 1944, they moved to a farm near Neola, Iowa. They were the parents of six children: LaVern, Nancy, Charles, LaVonne, Rozanne and Calvin. Edna was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church until 1966 when she joined Underwood Lutheran Church in Underwood, Iowa. She was an active member of the church circle, was a member of the P.T.A. at school, the O.T.O. Club, Friendly Links Club, a member of West Pottawattamie Farm Bureau Women's Committee for thirty six years, and seven of those years she served as Chairwoman. Edna was also a member of the Neola Senior Citizens, the Neola American Legion Auxiliary and she did a lot of volunteering for seniors (1,000 hours one year). In addition to this she was a farm wife and helped with the field work, raised a large garden and did a lot of canning.

     Edna worked for seven years as a cook at the Minden Café and also operated a little neighborhood grocery store in Council Bluffs. She took care of her grandma the last three and half years of her life in her home and cared for her mother for eighteen and a half years. In 1986 she moved to Minden and managed the motel for fifteen months before moving to Neola for fourteen years. She then became a resident of Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa.

     Edna died on Friday, September 1, 2006 at Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa having attained the age of eighty eight years, nine months and twenty three days. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon, an infant daughter, LaVonne, two brothers: Lewis and Lawrence Alloway; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Leaders; sister-in-law, Ilene Applegate; two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Leaders and Gerald Leaders.

     Edna is survived by three sons: LaVern Leaders and his wife, Janet, of Underwood; Charles Leaders of Minden; Calvin Leaders of Underwood; two daughters: Nancy Stueve and her husband, Ernie, of Logan, Iowa and Rozanne Wax and her husband, LaVerne, of Hemingford, Nebraska; fourteen grandchildren; twenty two great grandchildren; four step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

     Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the Underwood Lutheran Church in Underwood, Iowa with Rev. Eberhard Hering and Pastor Brian Wohlhuter serving as the clergy. Honorary casket bearers were Edna's twenty-two great grandchildren and serving as casket bearers were Joe Leaders, Lynn Leaders, Ed Stueve, Michael Leaders, Brian Leaders, Danny Wax, Chuck Copperstone, Mark Meyer, Allen Stueve and Jeremy Wax. Interment was held in the Silver Valley Cemetery, Hancock, Iowa.

     Kenneth "Bob" Benjamin Lee, the son of Benjamin H. and Amanda Nelson Lee, was born on November 23, 1917, in rural Harlan, Iowa. He attended country school at Fairview Township.

     On December 28, 1939, Bob was united in marriage to Glenavene P. Williams in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Pat, Donna and Margaret. After their marriage, the couple joined the Altamont Baptist Church located in rural Shelby County, Iowa. Bob and Glenavene farmed for many years. They retired from farming in 1985, but remained on the farm, spending their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Glenavene died on April 12, 1998.

     Bob enjoyed farming and raising Angus Cattle. He took great pride in his farm. He had the straightest corn rows and was very particular with his crops and livestock. Bob spent his later years riding his 4-wheeler around the farm, keeping his weeds in check and surveying his farm.

     He died on Sunday, February 12, 2006, at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of eighty-eight years, two months and nineteen days. In addition to his parents, and his wife, Glenavene, Bob was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Cook and his brother, Dale and sister, Ethel.

     Survivors include his children: Pat and her husband, Edwin Butcher of LaVista, Nebraska; Donna Gumbert and Ralph Schnuelle of Omaha, Nebraska; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Ivan Lee of Avoca, Iowa; sister, Hazel and her husband, Dale Bussow of Denver, Colorado; other relatives and many friends.

     Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Diana Holland officiating. Interment was in Cuppy’s Grove Cemetery in rural Shelby County, Iowa, with John Lee, Craig Clemons, Larry Madson, Jeremy Schneider, Jason Schneider, and Ralph Klindt serving as casket bearers.

     Donald Peter Leinen, the son of Joseph and Caroline Stinn Leinen, was born on November 15, 1925 at Portsmouth, Iowa.

     He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Don attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Portsmouth, Iowa, and was a member of the graduating class of 1943.

     On September 21, 1950, Don was inducted into the United States Army at Omaha, Nebraska. He served his country during the Korean Conflict, where he earned three bronze stars. Don was honorably discharged on September 15, 1952, at Camp Carson, Colorado. After being discharged from the United States Army, Don returned home to Portsmouth, where he began to farm. He was very active in the church. He even helped build the church by mixing cement for the brick and block layers.

     Don was a charter member of the Shelby County Museum, Portsmouth Centennial Member, a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus of Portsmouth and a 4th Degree Member of the Luke E. Hart Assembly Knights of Columbus of Defiance, Iowa and the American Legion Post No. 547 of Portsmouth, Iowa. Don also served as a Township Clerk and Assessor as well as on the Conservation Board. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, rock hunting and playing cards.

     Don died on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty years, six months, and fifteen days. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Robert Reinig and a nephew, Larry Reinig. Survivors include his sister and brothers, Virginia Reinig of Portsmouth, Iowa; Bernard Leinen and his wife, Helen of Harlan, Iowa; Richard Leinen and his wife, Alma of Portsmouth, Iowa; Joseph Leinen, Jr. and his wife, Jeanette of Council Bluffs, Iowa; twenty-one nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated on Friday, June 2, 2006, at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa, at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. John Dorton as the Celebrant and Rev. Robert Hoefler as the concelebrant. Military rites were conducted in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, Iowa, by the American Legion Post No. 547 of Portsmouth, Iowa. Serving as honorary casket bearers were Dave Leinen and Randy Leinen. Serving as casket bearers were Gary Leinen, Dan Muell, Rick Leinen, Steve Leinen, Tim Leinen, and Duane Reinig.

Leo C. Leinen - Age 87

    Verlee Leinen was born on April 21, 1941, to Zeno and Viola (Schwery) Leinen on a farm near Portsmouth, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth and attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic School.

    After her graduation from high school in 1959, she attended Marycrest College in Davenport. She transferred to Iowa State University where she graduated in 1963 with her degree in Home Economics. Verlee did her post-graduate work in Vermillion, South Dakota, Laramie, Wyoming, and Fairbanks, Alaska. Her first teaching position was in Ottawa, Illinois, where she stayed for three years. She then spent time teaching in Klickitat, Washington, Window Rock, Arizona, and Valdez, Alaska.

    Verlee worked as a recreational therapist at Harbor View Hospital in Valdez for four years, then operated the Serendipity Gift Shop on Richardson Highway 45 miles outside the city of Valdez for approximately ten years. In 1989, she went to Prince William Sound, Alaska, to help with the Valdez oil spill.

    She moved to Anchorage and worked for Hope Cottages, a residential facility providing community services to individuals with developmental disabilities. She also worked at the Anchorage School District at Bartlett High School performing many of the same duties as she did at Hope Cottages.

    Verlee loved the outdoors. Her hobbies were fishing and hunting, especially big game such as moose and bear. She also liked cross-country skiing and snow shoeing.

    Verlee died on Friday, June 29, 2007, in Anchorage, Alaska, having attained the age of sixty-six years, two months, and eight days. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Linda Daoust.

     She is survived by her brothers and sisters: Ursula Bruck of Portsmouth, Iowa, James Leinen and his wife Dorothy of Denison, Iowa, Orville Leinen and his wife Kathleen of Panora, Iowa, Harvey Leinen and his wife Charlotte of Harlan, Iowa, Eunice Blum and her husband Gilbert Loeffler of Panama, Iowa, Mildred and her husband Jerry Brus of Denison, and Zita and her husband Gaylen Smith of Portsmouth; her brother-in-law Mark Daoust of Atlantic, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 6, 2007, with Rev. John Dorton officiating the 10:30 AM service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Jeff Leinen, Richard Prososki, Scott Leinen, and her godson from Russia, Paul. Serving as casket bearers were Brian Daoust, Roger Leinen, David Smith, John Bruck, Roger Blum, and Jerry Brus. Interment was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth.

     John Nicholas Leuschen, Sr., son of Nicholas C. And Elizabeth (Thielen) Leuschen, was born at Panama, Iowa on February 15, 1917. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Panama. After school, John farmed with his father on the family farm east of Panama.

     On June 19, 1941, John was united in marriage to Margaret Carey at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. To this union, one son, John, Jr., was born. In 1942, John and Margaret purchased a farm west of Panama. They made this their home until their retirement in 1974, where he and Margaret then made their home in Panama. John served as a member of the Shelby County F.H.A. Committee from 1955 to 1957, and also served as director of the Panama Grain and Mercantile Company and the Panama Telephone Company. He was also a director for the Washington Township Number 8 rural school.

After retirement, John remained active in farming as well as with St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he and Margaret were lifetime members. In his younger years, John enjoyed the outdoors while hunting and fishing. He was a dedicated husband and loving father who honored the land he farmed with hard work. Even in his later years, he took great pride in his home in Panama and kept himself busy with yard work.

     Margaret died on January 4, 2000, and after her death, John continued to make his home in Panama until June of 2006, when he moved to Earling and became a resident of the Little Flower Haven. This is where he died on August 19, 2006, having attained the age of eighty-nine years, six months and four days.

     In addition to his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Hilda Fahn, Henrietta Schilz, Marie Coenen, Helen Bieker, Urban Leuschen, Donald Leuschen, Rita Leuschen and Nicholas Leuschen, Jr. He is survived by his son, John Leuschen, Jr., of Panama, Iowa, several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. John Dorton at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, August 21, 2006, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. Interment was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery with Bill Fahn, George Leuschen, David Soar, Dan Bieker, Herb Wagner and Allen Kenkel serving as casket bearers.

Dominic T. Lickteig - Age 90

     Dominic Thomas Lickteig, son of Frank and Elizabeth (Wolken) Lickteig, was born on April 11, 1918 in Greeley, Kansas. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greeley, Kansas and graduated from St. John’s High School. In the fall of 1941, Dominic moved from Oregon to Shelby County, Iowa to work for his older brother Ray Lickteig on the farm.

     On April 7, 1942, Dominic was united in marriage to Ida Faye Pitts at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greeley. Five children were born to this union: Dennis, Mary, Timothy, Alice, and Jerome. The couple resided in Shelby County where Dominic continued to help his brother Ray farm and raise his children.

     In 1943, Dominic started farming near Harlan and in 1945, Dominic and Ida Faye moved to Battle Creek where they continued to farm for one year until they bought a farm near Defiance, Iowa.

     Dominic was a long-time member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Earling Council No. 1741, Fourth Degree.

     On April 28, 2008, he became a resident of Manilla Manor in Manilla, Iowa, and it was there that he died on Saturday, June 21, 2008, having attained the age of ninety years, two months, and ten days. He is preceded in death by his parents and his great-grandson Dustin Eugene Lickteig.

     He is survived by his wife, Ida Faye of Manilla, Iowa; their children: Dennis Lickteig of Waterloo, Iowa; Mary and her husband Ray Mumm of Ute, Iowa; Timothy Lickteig and his wife Carol of Dow City, Iowa; Alice and her husband Terry Weiland of Aurora, Colorado; and Jerome Lickteig and his wife Jill of Elk Horn, Iowa; twenty grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his brothers: Rev. Bernard Lickteig of Olathe, Kansas and Francis Lickteig of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and his sister Betty Gillhaus of Greeley, Kansas; nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 beginning at 10:30 AM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa, with Rev. Tom Coenen officiating. Serving as casket bearers were Bryan Mumm, Jessie Weiland, Kelly Slechta, Doug Lickteig, Ryan Lickteig, and Scott Lickteig. Interment was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Defiance, Iowa.

Bernice Linden - Age 73

     Bernice Christine Linden, the daughter of Emanuel and Margaret (Marcusen) Andersen was born on October 2, 1930 near Kimballton, Iowa. She attended country school at Sharon Center in Audubon County, grades K-2; Irwin Consolidated schools, grades 3-6; rural Audubon County school, grades 7 and 8; Audubon High School, grade 9; and Harlan High School, grades 10-12, graduating in 1949. She also attended Iowa Western Community College in Harlan, graduating in 1982 from the Licensed Practical Nursing Program.

     Bernice was united in marriage to Duane O. Linden on January 10, 1950 at the Tennant Methodist Church in Tennant, Iowa. They were blessed with eight children: Dean, Sharon, Shirley, Susan, Sarah, Sally, Sena and Shawn. Duane and Bernice always farmed in Shelby County, as well as for a short time in Harrison County and in Missouri. In 1982, they moved to Harlan, Iowa. Duane passed away on April 22, 1990.

     Bernice shared her life as a busy homemaker caring for her family and helping with spring and fall farm work. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, Bernice worked with Shelby County Home Health, the Baptist Memorial Home and in private Home Health Care. She was active for many years in 4-H as a local leader, area judge and as a member of the 4-H County Committee. Bernice was also active in her church and as a volunteer for the Myrtue Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Baptist Memorial Home Auxiliary. She was a member of the Lincoln Social Club and was a past member of the Pioneer Country Club. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, flower gardening, decorating cakes and playing the piano. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and the squirrels in her back yard. Bernice’s greatest pleasure was derived from her family and their activities, including her grandchildren and their school and 4-H activities. This year marked forty-four consecutive years of 4-H involvement for Bernice and her family.

     Bernice went home to be with our Lord on Monday, April 19, 2004 having attained the age of seventy-three years, six months and seventeen days. She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane and her parents, Emanuel and Margaret.

     Bernice is survived by her children: Dean Linden and his wife, Dr. Deborah of Walnut, Iowa; Sharon and her husband, Darrel Mathiasen of Harlan, Iowa; Shirley Linden and her friend, Dennis Tschirren of Omaha, Nebraska; Susan and her husband, Fred Nelson of Audubon, Iowa; Sarah and her husband, Jack Christensen of North Mankato, Minnesota; Sally and her husband, Col. James G. Kolling of Beale Air Force Base, California; Sena Linden of Waterloo, Iowa; and Shawn and her husband Scott McLaughlin of Defiance, Iowa. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Rebecca Mathiasen (Chris Spurgeon) of Omaha, Nebraska; Tricia (Ryan) Krull of Omaha, Nebraska; Jessica Troll and Jonathan Troll, both of Omaha, Nebraska; Jeppe Nelson of Ames, Iowa; James Nelson of Audubon, Iowa; Katie and Jana Christensen of North Mankato, Minnesota; Samuel, Joseph and Sarah Kolling of Beale Air Force Base, California; Samantha, Oscar and Dane Prince of Dousman, Wisconsin; Samuel, Jacob and William McLaughlin of Defiance, Iowa; one great-granddaughter, Kaylie Mathiasen of Omaha, Nebraska; and one brother, Howard Andersen and his wife, Dorothy of Harlan, Iowa.

     Bernice will be greatly missed by her many relatives, friends, and neighbors.

     Funeral Services were held on Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa, at 1:30 P.M. with Rev. Gundar Lamberts officiating. Interment was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa, with Dean Linden, Darrel Mathiasen, Fred Nelson, Jack Christensen, Col. James Kolling, Scott McLaughlin, Dennis Tschirren, Jonathan Troll, Jeppe Nelson, and James Nelson serving as casket bearers.

Dorothy J. Linden - Age 70

     Dorothy Jean Linden, the daughter of Howard Peter and Myrtle Marie Knudsen Thomson, was born on March 5, 1934, on a farm in Cuppy’s Grove, Shelby County, Iowa. She attended country school and was a member of the graduating class of 1951 from Harlan Community High School. Upon graduation from high school, Dorothy was employed at Farners in Harlan, Iowa and later was a secretary in the Walnut School System.

     On April 16, 1954, Dorothy was united in marriage to Dewey Linden at the Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut, Iowa. To this union, four children were born: Gale, Byron, Jody and Janet. After their marriage, Dewey attended the University of Iowa and Dorothy worked at the Handicapped School for Children in Iowa City, Iowa. After Dewey graduated from college, they moved to Marion, Iowa, where she was a homemaker. They later moved to Elk Horn, Iowa where Dorothy excelled as a wife, mother and grandmother. She took great pride in taking her grandchildren to Vacation Bible School or field trips to The Offut Air Force Museum or other communities where special functions were held. The important thing she wanted to establish was her relationship with them and for them to establish relationships with their cousins. This meant that she took care of several of them at a time. She played bingo with them and rewarded them with special prizes. Gingerbread houses were always one of the grandchildren’s favorites. Other interests for Dorothy were sewing, gardening and playing the piano. After Dewey retired from teaching, Dorothy developed Linden Mailing Enterprise.

     Dorothy died on Tuesday, November, 30, 2004, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, having attained the age of seventy years, eight months, and twenty-five days. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brothers, Bruce and Clyde Thomson.

     Survivors include her husband of fifty years, Dewey of Elk Horn, Iowa; her children, Gale Linden and his wife, Alice of Kimballton, Iowa; Byron Linden and his wife, Janet of Moville, Iowa; Jody and her husband, Dave Jones of Edgerton, Kansas; Janet and her husband, Phil Graves of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; twenty-one grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Carolyn Thomson of Lawrence, Kansas; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 4, 2004, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Walnut, Iowa, at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Paul Hutchins officiating. Interment was in Cuppy’s Grove Cemetery in Rural Harlan, Iowa, with Robert Dierking, Paul Riley, Horace Graves, Ron Hamilton, Mike Martin, Jerry Hansen, Ralph Hansen and Harold Lansman serving as honorary casket bearers. Serving as casket bearers were Jacob Graves, Matthew Jones, Brian Harlow, Alan Linden, Mark Linden, Steve Linden, and Todd Linden.