Leona Dreessen

Leona Anna Sophia Schluter Dreessen, age 85, of Wall Lake, IA passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2004, at Kansas University Medical Center, in Kansas City, KS.

Leona Kock was born October 6, 1918, in Jackson Township, Crawford County, Iowa, the daughter of George and Mary (Dettbarn) Kock. She attended schools in Jackson Township and Westside Consolidated. She was united in marriage to Elmer Schluter on January 1, 1936, and they farmed near Early, IA, in Jackson Township, and near Schleswig, IA. They were blessed with four children: Shirley, Bonnie, Norman, and Marlene. Elmer died on May 12, 1969, and Leona moved from the farm to Denison and worked at the Crawford County Hospital. On June 1, 1973, she was united in marriage to Marvin Dreessen. Marvin and Leona lived in Wall Lake, Iowa. He died on December 1, 2002. Due to failing health, Leona had been living with her daughter in Overland Park, KS.

Leona was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Wall Lake where she was very active and was Past President of the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed sewing quilts, playing cards, and did volunteer work at Twilight Acres Nursing Home, Wall Lake.

She is survived by her children: Shirley Ehlers of Arcadia, IA, Bonnie Wutzke and her husband Fred, of West Des Moines, IA, Norman and his wife Rosanne, of Friend, NE, and Marlene Cocks of Overland Park, KS; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Viola Pfannkuch of Manning, IA, and Edna Wiese of Ames, IA; many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. She is also survived by Marvin’s children and their families: Sharon Graham and her husband Earl of Denison, IA, and Lloyd and his wife Norma of Storm Lake, IA.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; brother, Raymond Kock; son-in-law, Glenn Ehlers; and a great-granddaughter in infancy.

Funeral services for Leona will be Thursday, July 1, 2004, 10:30 am, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake with Reverend Roger Carlisle officiating. Special music will be provided by Mike Wutzke, soloist, accompanied by Kelly Sixta, organist. Flower arrangements will be taken care of by Audrey Lamaak, Elsie Ogren, and Ruth Gerdes. Pallbearers are the following: Jeff Schluter, David Schluter, Darwin Schluter, Kelly Sixta, Eileen Shields, Curtis Ehlers, Chris Ehlers, Michael Wutzke, and Penny Benson.

Burial will be at the Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig, IA, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake from 4:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 30th.