LEONA GERTRUDE DILSE (nee: Lund), fighting the brave battle of Alzheimer’s, passed away in Lethbridge on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, at the age of 93 years.
Born on April 23, 1929, in Nobleford, AB, she graduated in 1947 from Bow Valley Central High, Cluny, AB. She lived in Queenstown, AB with her parents Charles (Charlie) and Gertrude Lund, and sister Helene Henrickson. At the age of 19, she married Leo Bottom in Vulcan, AB in 1948. They moved to Otterville, Missouri that same year. They went on to have and had two children, Wanda and Charles “Chuck”. Leona and Leo divorced in 1971. In 1973, she married Sumner “Van” Vanderhoof in Otterville, Missouri. Sadly, Van died in a hunting accident in 1977.
Leona was the step-mom to Van’s 6 children, Stanley, Marcia, Paul, Dana, Russel, and Danny. The youngest three lived with them along with her two teens.
Leona then married William “Bill” Dilse of Boonville, Missouri in 1979 but separated a year later. Bill passed away in 2009.
Leona moved back to Nobleford, AB in 1987 and then to Lethbridge in 1988, where she thoroughly enjoyed her job as a barista at the Gourmet Cup until her retirement in 1995.
Leona was predeceased by her son, Chuck, granddaughter-in-law Antoinette (late wife of Chris) Neuwirth, a great-granddaughter, brother-in-law Marvin Henrickson, and her three husbands Leo Bottom, Van Vanderhoof, and Bill Dilse. She was also predeceased by her youngest stepson, Daniel “Danny” in 1999, whom Leona continued to raise after Van’s passing.
Leona is survived by her daughter Wanda (John) Neuwirth, sister Helene Henrickson and family, her 3 grandchildren: Chris Neuwirth; Kim (Joe) Kennedy; Jason (Liz) Neuwirth, and 8 great-grandchildren.
Leona and her sister, Helene, were almost inseparable before her dementia worsened. They were avid crafters and enjoyed selling their creations at craft markets through the years. Her love of life and people touched the lives of all those who knew her. She had a wonderful personality, full of laughter and the joy of life, which was with her until the very end.
Leona will be laid to rest at the Vulcan Cemetery Columbarium on Monday, August 28th, 2023 at 1 pm.
In her memory, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. Please E-mail condolences to the family through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
My sympathy goes out to all of Leona’s family, but I am thinking in particular of Helene … who was so close to her older sister for so many years! Leona was a lovely lady! Like her sister Helene she always seemed so “well turned out” … pretty, well dressed, beautifully coifed and seemingly perpetually youthful! It was so sad that she spent her final years dealing with dementia! Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease and we all hope for the day when there will be a cure. May Leona rest in peace!
Thank you Marvin. I was with Mom today and we shared some memories about Aunt Leona. She was a lovely lady who we miss dearly.