Mrs. Edith E. Leonard, 101, of Galesburg, died at 6:50 p.m., Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the Knox County Nursing Home.
Edith was born August 14, 1918 in Neponset, Illinois to Mr. Carl O. and Anna Marie (Gliesse) Anderson. She married Ernest Leonard in Ft. Madison, Iowa on July 23, 1939. He preceded her in death August 16, 1989.
She is survived by one son, Dick (Judy) Leonard of Knoxville; one daughter, Sharon (Terry) Langdon of Monmouth; five grandchildren, Tracy (Tim) Blanchard, Barry Langdon, Paulette Earp, Jenni (Will) Moser, and Rick (Ashley) Leonard; 10 great grandchildren, Dustin, Taryn, Lauren, T.R., Brandon, Taylor, Tristan, Jacob, Jayden, and Penelope; and 10 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are many dear cousins and one niece-in-law, Dianna Anderson of Alexandria, Minnesota.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Joyce Kimberley; one brother, Andres Anderson; sister-in-law, Maran Anderson; two nephews, Jere Anderson and Robert Anderson; dear friends, Kenny and Dorothy Horn; and her life-long best friend, Lori Greene.
Edith graduated from Annawan High School in 1936, she then attended Hershey’s Beauty School of Kewanee. Edith worked as a beautician for 30 years, six of those years spent at OT Johnson. Edith also managed Fabs on Henderson Street for two years and worked as a mental health technician at Galesburg Research Hospital for nine years. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Galesburg and loved to spend time with her many friends. Edith was very crafty, she was talented in knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She often made Christmas ornaments for her children and grandchildren for whom she always enjoyed spending time with. She will be remembered for her many delicious pies and “world’s best” fried chicken recipes.
Cremation will be accorded. Private memorial services will be held Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Pastor Pam Marolla and Deacon Tim Blanchard will officiate. Memorials may be given to the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
