Leona R Stuart

Leona R. (Clausen) Stuart lost her battle with diabetes on August 18, 2022.

She was born September 20, 1936, to the late Harold and Carrie (Petersen) Clausen in Honey Creek, IA. She graduated from Underwood High School in 1955. She married her 5th grade sweetheart, Tom Stuart on July 15, 1956. The couple lived most of their married years in Council Bluffs, IA.

Leona loved her time working as a bookkeeper for Northwestern School of Taxidermy located in the Old Market. Her love of adventure, family, and service were evident in each of her favorite hobbies. Leona had a crocheting and quilting skill unmatched by many and she loved putting her handmade gifts to good use. She created endless hats, mittens, slippers, and blankets for family; along with fidget muffs for various memory units throughout the community. Leona will always be remembered for her superb party mints and chocolate chip cookies that graced each family function. Her love of the outdoors was present with favorite childhood memories on the farm, riding horses, each camping and fishing trip, afternoons spent bird watching, and infinite time with her flowers. During the winter months Leona would be found spending countless hours with all who visited completing intricate puzzles.

In addition to her parents, Leona was proceeded in death by her siblings Olga (Don) Schroder, Ralph (Dorothy) Clausen, Irene (Marvin) Schroder, Elva (Jim) Holt, Lucy Jackson as well as her sister in law Linda Clausen, grandson Joel Heiman, and great grandson Dillion Lustgraaf.

Leona is survived by her husband of 66 years, Tom Stuart; children Jeanne (Bill) Mudge, Judy (Dean) Heiman, Steve (Amy) Stuart; grandchildren Vern Lustgraaf, Jamie (Billy) Athay, Josh Pettit (Lindsay Besco), Stacie (Scott) Rinderkinecht, Ryan (Caitlin) Lustgraaf, Emily Stuart, Nathan (Kātlynn) Stuart, Kelly (Micky) Mudge, Amy (Bob) Larson, Val Tomair, and Shelly Austin; 27 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren; siblings Glen Clausen (Katie Galvin), Linda (Kenny) Chollett, and brother in law Bill Jackson; many nieces and nephews, and her beloved feline companion, Molly.

Funeral service will be at the Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Sunday August 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be during the hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Grange Cemetery in Honey Creek, IA. Memorials are suggested to St John Lutheran Church of Council Bluffs.