On March 23, 2022, near the arms of a beautiful oak tree outside her window, Leona peacefully passed away. Her long life was full nature, teaching, learning, friendships, church, volunteering, family and adventure, and her German heritage. Her soul was a beautiful example of compassion, selfless love and generosity. Leona will be remembered by all who knew her as a person with a great heart, always checking on the well-being of others. Most of all, Leona cherished spending time with her family and friends to share a meal, have a cup of tea, play '42' and talk! Her energetic brown eyes and quick smile let you know she was ready for some kidding and fun.
Passionate about nature and loving everything to do with birds, squirrels, owls, and trees, Leona took great pleasure in turning over an old log in the forest to see what insects it was home to. She cherished her days of volunteering for the hands-on nature education programs for children at Severson Dells Nature Center. She led hikes, participated in night walks, joined in the butterfly garden and went on birding and other outings with her nature friends. Dedicated to the preservation of our earth, she practiced reducing and reusing long before recycling was even a word. She was a vigorous walker on the bike paths before starting her day's work. She was proud of her home, and had many bird feeders, a garden, and she continued to mow her lawn at age eighty.
"The Owl Lady" had a fervor for teaching and an unquenchable thirst for learning. She put her heart into her work as a teacher and she put education as her priority for her grandchildren. She helped all of them go to college, and if she gifted money, it was never for "lipstick". Leona loved talking about education. One of her hobbies was reading the newspaper and talking politics. She also took Spanish classes. She was constantly taking courses at the Center for Learning in Retirement at RVC. She was curious about everyone and everything around her.
Leona's very special most recent friends were those at Severson Dells. However, as a young adult and widow, Leona joined PWP (Parents without Partners), and along with her Bethel United Church of Christ family, these were the source of lifetime friendships. She also kept in touch with her business school friends and wonderful teachers and staff she worked with at McIntosh and Lathrop elementary schools. She adored her sister Rosanna, all her nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, and her cousins. In addition, she had get-togethers and lasting friendships with many good neighbors. She loved and advocated for the west side of Rockford and supporting those in need. At different times of her life she volunteered on the CONTACT crisis hotline, was a chaplain at Rockford Memorial Hospital, and moved her membership to Third Presbyterian Church. She lived in her home until she was 92 years old.
Leona was a great mom to her daughters, treating them to tent camping trips to the state parks of IL and WI, and train trips to national parks out west. Her Coleman tent and camping supplies were her pride and joy and she passed them on to granddaughter Sarah, to continue in her spirit. Her favorite years she said were those raising Laurie and Linda. Her six grandchildren have fond memories of picnics and fun at the local county fairs, being read books on the sofa, helping in her garden and compost, walks down the farm lane, sleepovers at her house during summer weeks of day camp, library reading challenges in the summer, going 'owling' at night in the woods, attending Riverhawks games, going to the Starlight Theatre, and receiving homemade birthday cakes each year at college. Her grandchildren who were in Mexico recall her taking too many shots of tequila, loving coconut, working in the school library, and trips to the beach.
In the late 90s Leona became serious about genealogy. She joined the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America, and did research at conferences in IA, MN and IL, and trips to northern Germany. At a family reunion she demonstrated how to make a proper cup of German tea. Because she grew up speaking Low German, she was always looking for someone who knew a few words of Plattdeutsch.
August 5th, 1925 Leona was born in the family farmhouse to Sadie and Herman E. Wubbena in Harper, IL. She told the family many stories, including how the bread would rise near the warming oven, and homemade churned butter was made, and she instilled that German work ethic in her children and grandchildren. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, and later graduated from Shannon High in 1944. Her big decision was to go to Rockford School of Business in 1946. From 1946 - 1956 Leona worked as a legal secretary for attorneys Thomas, Davis and Kostantakos.
She married Carl Frey during that time, in 1951. When Carl died in 1963, Leona began taking college classes and working for attorney John Pelgen, where she worked for 10 years. After graduating from Rockford College in 1973, Leona started her second career, as a 4th/5th grade teacher at McIntosh and then Lathrop schools in Rockford, obtaining her master's degree in education from NIU in 1982. After 20 years, she retired, and lived with daughter Laurie part of every winter until the age of 93.
Leona's legacy remains one of kindness, love, & compassion. All who knew her hold dear her enthusiasm for nature and especially birds. We will deeply miss this friendly, inquisitive, inspirational and gentle soul: our dear mother, "Oma", "Gram", "Pooh", "Lee", "Cousin", and friend.
Leona is survived by two daughters, Laurie Frey-Baquedano (Yucatan, Mexico) and Linda (Joe) Radford (Pearl City, IL); 6 grandchildren, Sarah (Brandon) Rushing, (Lompoc, CA), Dakota Radford (Charleston, IL), Teal Radford (Santa Fe, NM), Colton Radford (Independence, IA), Lauren (Byron) Morris (North Augusta, NC), Alison (Rob) Ruch (Flowery Branch, GA), and 8 great-grandchildren: Emma, Byron, Naamen & Camilla Morris; Miriam & Rownan Ruch; and Gray & Jack Rushing.
She is predeceased by her sister, Rosanna Dietmeier of Freeport, IL.
The family would like to have a special thank you to Drs. Koepsell (Sr. and Jr) and their staff in Rockford, for their years of kindness and expertise, and to the wonderful managers, nurses, CNAs, cooks and staff at both Oakley Courts in Freeport and Allure of Mt. Carroll. A special recognition to daughter Linda, who assisted and helped her during her entire life.
A memorial has been set up in Leona's name for an interactive bird book display at Severson Dells Nature Preserve; Rockford, IL – her favorite spot to volunteer.
Moments to Remember Leona was held June 26, 2022 during the morning worship at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford, IL.
Passionate about nature and loving everything to do with birds, squirrels, owls, and trees, Leona took great pleasure in turning over an old log in the forest to see what insects it was home to. She cherished her days of volunteering for the hands-on nature education programs for children at Severson Dells Nature Center. She led hikes, participated in night walks, joined in the butterfly garden and went on birding and other outings with her nature friends. Dedicated to the preservation of our earth, she practiced reducing and reusing long before recycling was even a word. She was a vigorous walker on the bike paths before starting her day's work. She was proud of her home, and had many bird feeders, a garden, and she continued to mow her lawn at age eighty.
"The Owl Lady" had a fervor for teaching and an unquenchable thirst for learning. She put her heart into her work as a teacher and she put education as her priority for her grandchildren. She helped all of them go to college, and if she gifted money, it was never for "lipstick". Leona loved talking about education. One of her hobbies was reading the newspaper and talking politics. She also took Spanish classes. She was constantly taking courses at the Center for Learning in Retirement at RVC. She was curious about everyone and everything around her.
Leona's very special most recent friends were those at Severson Dells. However, as a young adult and widow, Leona joined PWP (Parents without Partners), and along with her Bethel United Church of Christ family, these were the source of lifetime friendships. She also kept in touch with her business school friends and wonderful teachers and staff she worked with at McIntosh and Lathrop elementary schools. She adored her sister Rosanna, all her nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, and her cousins. In addition, she had get-togethers and lasting friendships with many good neighbors. She loved and advocated for the west side of Rockford and supporting those in need. At different times of her life she volunteered on the CONTACT crisis hotline, was a chaplain at Rockford Memorial Hospital, and moved her membership to Third Presbyterian Church. She lived in her home until she was 92 years old.
Leona was a great mom to her daughters, treating them to tent camping trips to the state parks of IL and WI, and train trips to national parks out west. Her Coleman tent and camping supplies were her pride and joy and she passed them on to granddaughter Sarah, to continue in her spirit. Her favorite years she said were those raising Laurie and Linda. Her six grandchildren have fond memories of picnics and fun at the local county fairs, being read books on the sofa, helping in her garden and compost, walks down the farm lane, sleepovers at her house during summer weeks of day camp, library reading challenges in the summer, going 'owling' at night in the woods, attending Riverhawks games, going to the Starlight Theatre, and receiving homemade birthday cakes each year at college. Her grandchildren who were in Mexico recall her taking too many shots of tequila, loving coconut, working in the school library, and trips to the beach.
In the late 90s Leona became serious about genealogy. She joined the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America, and did research at conferences in IA, MN and IL, and trips to northern Germany. At a family reunion she demonstrated how to make a proper cup of German tea. Because she grew up speaking Low German, she was always looking for someone who knew a few words of Plattdeutsch.
August 5th, 1925 Leona was born in the family farmhouse to Sadie and Herman E. Wubbena in Harper, IL. She told the family many stories, including how the bread would rise near the warming oven, and homemade churned butter was made, and she instilled that German work ethic in her children and grandchildren. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, and later graduated from Shannon High in 1944. Her big decision was to go to Rockford School of Business in 1946. From 1946 - 1956 Leona worked as a legal secretary for attorneys Thomas, Davis and Kostantakos.
She married Carl Frey during that time, in 1951. When Carl died in 1963, Leona began taking college classes and working for attorney John Pelgen, where she worked for 10 years. After graduating from Rockford College in 1973, Leona started her second career, as a 4th/5th grade teacher at McIntosh and then Lathrop schools in Rockford, obtaining her master's degree in education from NIU in 1982. After 20 years, she retired, and lived with daughter Laurie part of every winter until the age of 93.
Leona's legacy remains one of kindness, love, & compassion. All who knew her hold dear her enthusiasm for nature and especially birds. We will deeply miss this friendly, inquisitive, inspirational and gentle soul: our dear mother, "Oma", "Gram", "Pooh", "Lee", "Cousin", and friend.
Leona is survived by two daughters, Laurie Frey-Baquedano (Yucatan, Mexico) and Linda (Joe) Radford (Pearl City, IL); 6 grandchildren, Sarah (Brandon) Rushing, (Lompoc, CA), Dakota Radford (Charleston, IL), Teal Radford (Santa Fe, NM), Colton Radford (Independence, IA), Lauren (Byron) Morris (North Augusta, NC), Alison (Rob) Ruch (Flowery Branch, GA), and 8 great-grandchildren: Emma, Byron, Naamen & Camilla Morris; Miriam & Rownan Ruch; and Gray & Jack Rushing.
She is predeceased by her sister, Rosanna Dietmeier of Freeport, IL.
The family would like to have a special thank you to Drs. Koepsell (Sr. and Jr) and their staff in Rockford, for their years of kindness and expertise, and to the wonderful managers, nurses, CNAs, cooks and staff at both Oakley Courts in Freeport and Allure of Mt. Carroll. A special recognition to daughter Linda, who assisted and helped her during her entire life.
A memorial has been set up in Leona's name for an interactive bird book display at Severson Dells Nature Preserve; Rockford, IL – her favorite spot to volunteer.
Moments to Remember Leona was held June 26, 2022 during the morning worship at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford, IL.
On March 23, 2022, near the arms of a beautiful oak tree outside her window, Leona peacefully passed away. Her long life was full nature, teaching, learning, friendships, church, volunteering, family and adventure, and her German heritage. Her soul was a beautiful example of compassion, selfless love and generosity. Leona will be remembered by all who knew her as a person with a great heart, always checking on the well-being of others. Most of all, Leona cherished spending time with her family and friends to share a meal, have a cup of tea, play '42' and talk! Her energetic brown eyes and quick smile let you know she was ready for some kidding and fun.
Passionate about nature and loving everything to do with birds, squirrels, owls, and trees, Leona took great pleasure in turning over an old log in the forest to see what insects it was home to. She cherished her days of volunteering for the hands-on nature education programs for children at Severson Dells Nature Center. She led hikes, participated in night walks, joined in the butterfly garden and went on birding and other outings with her nature friends. Dedicated to the preservation of our earth, she practiced reducing and reusing long before recycling was even a word. She was a vigorous walker on the bike paths before starting her day's work. She was proud of her home, and had many bird feeders, a garden, and she continued to mow her lawn at age eighty.
"The Owl Lady" had a fervor for teaching and an unquenchable thirst for learning. She put her heart into her work as a teacher and she put education as her priority for her grandchildren. She helped all of them go to college, and if she gifted money, it was never for "lipstick". Leona loved talking about education. One of her hobbies was reading the newspaper and talking politics. She also took Spanish classes. She was constantly taking courses at the Center for Learning in Retirement at RVC. She was curious about everyone and everything around her.
Leona's very special most recent friends were those at Severson Dells. However, as a young adult and widow, Leona joined PWP (Parents without Partners), and along with her Bethel United Church of Christ family, these were the source of lifetime friendships. She also kept in touch with her business school friends and wonderful teachers and staff she worked with at McIntosh and Lathrop elementary schools. She adored her sister Rosanna, all her nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, and her cousins. In addition, she had get-togethers and lasting friendships with many good neighbors. She loved and advocated for the west side of Rockford and supporting those in need. At different times of her life she volunteered on the CONTACT crisis hotline, was a chaplain at Rockford Memorial Hospital, and moved her membership to Third Presbyterian Church. She lived in her home until she was 92 years old.
Leona was a great mom to her daughters, treating them to tent camping trips to the state parks of IL and WI, and train trips to national parks out west. Her Coleman tent and camping supplies were her pride and joy and she passed them on to granddaughter Sarah, to continue in her spirit. Her favorite years she said were those raising Laurie and Linda. Her six grandchildren have fond memories of picnics and fun at the local county fairs, being read books on the sofa, helping in her garden and compost, walks down the farm lane, sleepovers at her house during summer weeks of day camp, library reading challenges in the summer, going 'owling' at night in the woods, attending Riverhawks games, going to the Starlight Theatre, and receiving homemade birthday cakes each year at college. Her grandchildren who were in Mexico recall her taking too many shots of tequila, loving coconut, working in the school library, and trips to the beach.
In the late 90s Leona became serious about genealogy. She joined the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America, and did research at conferences in IA, MN and IL, and trips to northern Germany. At a family reunion she demonstrated how to make a proper cup of German tea. Because she grew up speaking Low German, she was always looking for someone who knew a few words of Plattdeutsch.
August 5th, 1925 Leona was born in the family farmhouse to Sadie and Herman E. Wubbena in Harper, IL. She told the family many stories, including how the bread would rise near the warming oven, and homemade churned butter was made, and she instilled that German work ethic in her children and grandchildren. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, and later graduated from Shannon High in 1944. Her big decision was to go to Rockford School of Business in 1946. From 1946 - 1956 Leona worked as a legal secretary for attorneys Thomas, Davis and Kostantakos.
She married Carl Frey during that time, in 1951. When Carl died in 1963, Leona began taking college classes and working for attorney John Pelgen, where she worked for 10 years. After graduating from Rockford College in 1973, Leona started her second career, as a 4th/5th grade teacher at McIntosh and then Lathrop schools in Rockford, obtaining her master's degree in education from NIU in 1982. After 20 years, she retired, and lived with daughter Laurie part of every winter until the age of 93.
Leona's legacy remains one of kindness, love, & compassion. All who knew her hold dear her enthusiasm for nature and especially birds. We will deeply miss this friendly, inquisitive, inspirational and gentle soul: our dear mother, "Oma", "Gram", "Pooh", "Lee", "Cousin", and friend.
Leona is survived by two daughters, Laurie Frey-Baquedano (Yucatan, Mexico) and Linda (Joe) Radford (Pearl City, IL); 6 grandchildren, Sarah (Brandon) Rushing, (Lompoc, CA), Dakota Radford (Charleston, IL), Teal Radford (Santa Fe, NM), Colton Radford (Independence, IA), Lauren (Byron) Morris (North Augusta, NC), Alison (Rob) Ruch (Flowery Branch, GA), and 8 great-grandchildren: Emma, Byron, Naamen & Camilla Morris; Miriam & Rownan Ruch; and Gray & Jack Rushing.
She is predeceased by her sister, Rosanna Dietmeier of Freeport, IL.
The family would like to have a special thank you to Drs. Koepsell (Sr. and Jr) and their staff in Rockford, for their years of kindness and expertise, and to the wonderful managers, nurses, CNAs, cooks and staff at both Oakley Courts in Freeport and Allure of Mt. Carroll. A special recognition to daughter Linda, who assisted and helped her during her entire life.
A memorial has been set up in Leona's name for an interactive bird book display at Severson Dells Nature Preserve; Rockford, IL – her favorite spot to volunteer.
Moments to Remember Leona was held June 26, 2022 during the morning worship at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford, IL.
Passionate about nature and loving everything to do with birds, squirrels, owls, and trees, Leona took great pleasure in turning over an old log in the forest to see what insects it was home to. She cherished her days of volunteering for the hands-on nature education programs for children at Severson Dells Nature Center. She led hikes, participated in night walks, joined in the butterfly garden and went on birding and other outings with her nature friends. Dedicated to the preservation of our earth, she practiced reducing and reusing long before recycling was even a word. She was a vigorous walker on the bike paths before starting her day's work. She was proud of her home, and had many bird feeders, a garden, and she continued to mow her lawn at age eighty.
"The Owl Lady" had a fervor for teaching and an unquenchable thirst for learning. She put her heart into her work as a teacher and she put education as her priority for her grandchildren. She helped all of them go to college, and if she gifted money, it was never for "lipstick". Leona loved talking about education. One of her hobbies was reading the newspaper and talking politics. She also took Spanish classes. She was constantly taking courses at the Center for Learning in Retirement at RVC. She was curious about everyone and everything around her.
Leona's very special most recent friends were those at Severson Dells. However, as a young adult and widow, Leona joined PWP (Parents without Partners), and along with her Bethel United Church of Christ family, these were the source of lifetime friendships. She also kept in touch with her business school friends and wonderful teachers and staff she worked with at McIntosh and Lathrop elementary schools. She adored her sister Rosanna, all her nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, and her cousins. In addition, she had get-togethers and lasting friendships with many good neighbors. She loved and advocated for the west side of Rockford and supporting those in need. At different times of her life she volunteered on the CONTACT crisis hotline, was a chaplain at Rockford Memorial Hospital, and moved her membership to Third Presbyterian Church. She lived in her home until she was 92 years old.
Leona was a great mom to her daughters, treating them to tent camping trips to the state parks of IL and WI, and train trips to national parks out west. Her Coleman tent and camping supplies were her pride and joy and she passed them on to granddaughter Sarah, to continue in her spirit. Her favorite years she said were those raising Laurie and Linda. Her six grandchildren have fond memories of picnics and fun at the local county fairs, being read books on the sofa, helping in her garden and compost, walks down the farm lane, sleepovers at her house during summer weeks of day camp, library reading challenges in the summer, going 'owling' at night in the woods, attending Riverhawks games, going to the Starlight Theatre, and receiving homemade birthday cakes each year at college. Her grandchildren who were in Mexico recall her taking too many shots of tequila, loving coconut, working in the school library, and trips to the beach.
In the late 90s Leona became serious about genealogy. She joined the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America, and did research at conferences in IA, MN and IL, and trips to northern Germany. At a family reunion she demonstrated how to make a proper cup of German tea. Because she grew up speaking Low German, she was always looking for someone who knew a few words of Plattdeutsch.
August 5th, 1925 Leona was born in the family farmhouse to Sadie and Herman E. Wubbena in Harper, IL. She told the family many stories, including how the bread would rise near the warming oven, and homemade churned butter was made, and she instilled that German work ethic in her children and grandchildren. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, and later graduated from Shannon High in 1944. Her big decision was to go to Rockford School of Business in 1946. From 1946 - 1956 Leona worked as a legal secretary for attorneys Thomas, Davis and Kostantakos.
She married Carl Frey during that time, in 1951. When Carl died in 1963, Leona began taking college classes and working for attorney John Pelgen, where she worked for 10 years. After graduating from Rockford College in 1973, Leona started her second career, as a 4th/5th grade teacher at McIntosh and then Lathrop schools in Rockford, obtaining her master's degree in education from NIU in 1982. After 20 years, she retired, and lived with daughter Laurie part of every winter until the age of 93.
Leona's legacy remains one of kindness, love, & compassion. All who knew her hold dear her enthusiasm for nature and especially birds. We will deeply miss this friendly, inquisitive, inspirational and gentle soul: our dear mother, "Oma", "Gram", "Pooh", "Lee", "Cousin", and friend.
Leona is survived by two daughters, Laurie Frey-Baquedano (Yucatan, Mexico) and Linda (Joe) Radford (Pearl City, IL); 6 grandchildren, Sarah (Brandon) Rushing, (Lompoc, CA), Dakota Radford (Charleston, IL), Teal Radford (Santa Fe, NM), Colton Radford (Independence, IA), Lauren (Byron) Morris (North Augusta, NC), Alison (Rob) Ruch (Flowery Branch, GA), and 8 great-grandchildren: Emma, Byron, Naamen & Camilla Morris; Miriam & Rownan Ruch; and Gray & Jack Rushing.
She is predeceased by her sister, Rosanna Dietmeier of Freeport, IL.
The family would like to have a special thank you to Drs. Koepsell (Sr. and Jr) and their staff in Rockford, for their years of kindness and expertise, and to the wonderful managers, nurses, CNAs, cooks and staff at both Oakley Courts in Freeport and Allure of Mt. Carroll. A special recognition to daughter Linda, who assisted and helped her during her entire life.
A memorial has been set up in Leona's name for an interactive bird book display at Severson Dells Nature Preserve; Rockford, IL – her favorite spot to volunteer.
Moments to Remember Leona was held June 26, 2022 during the morning worship at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford, IL.
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