Leone Vera (St. John) Dilley was born in Martin County on March 5, 1914, to Ella Mae (Pennington) and Henry St. John. She was the seventh of their ten children. She attended rural school and learned much from her parents. Her legacy of concern and love for her family was evident in all the letters she wrote. Leone and Bernhard eloped and were married on August 16, 1930, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Following a honeymoon in the Black Hills, they returned to the Dilley farm in Enterprise Township where they later raised their children, Edythe Mae and Bernie. Hard workers, Leone and Bernhard's farm and garden were in 4-H order. After retiring, they moved to Sherburn. Bernhard died on February 6, 1985. In 1991, Leone moved to Minnetonka, and in 1996 she moved to Rochester. She passed away on March 25, 2006. Leone's interests were many and she liked to be "doing something." Many remember her as their first beautician and driver's training instructor. Her grandchildren absolutely loved being with her at the farm. Her Christian faith was a guiding force throughout her life.

Those mourning her passing include her son, Bernie Dilley and his wife, Sandra, of Rochester, Minnesota, their daughter, Anne Crecca and her husband, Dave, and children, Elizabeth and JD of Laramie, Wyoming; granddaughter, Janelle Trowbridge and her husband, Tony, and their children Amy,Abby, Kirsten and Harrison of Foley, Minnesota; brother, Bill St. John of Lake Crystal, Minnesota; sister, Cora Hanson of Landers, California; sister-in-law, Pauline St. John of Decatur, Illinois and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Leone was preceded in death by her parents, husband , Bernhard, daughter, Edythe Mae Hanson, grandson, Paul Dilley, sisters, Mamie, Ruth, brothers, Clarence, Wallace, Percy, John, Sid and other relatives.