Leone Mann

THERE WILL BE NO VISITATION

Leone Marie (Fredrickson) Mann was born December 25, 1922, to Raymond and Lottie (Johnson) Fredrickson in rural Moorhead, Iowa. She attended Adams Country School and graduated from Moorhead Public High School in 1940. Leon married Wilbur C. Mann on June 19, 1941, at Wilbur's grandparents' home in Moorhead. The couple began farming near Ute, Iowa before moving to the Mann Family Farm southeast of Moorhead in 1953. Leone was a homemaker, church volunteer, Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, an active member in Women's clubs and various other community organizations. At the age of 45, Leone attended Western Iowa Tech at Sioux City, Iowa and graduated with her Licensed Practical Nursing Degree. She began her career at Burgess Memorial hospital in Onawa, Iowa.

Leone had a special gift for calming babies whether they were newborns in the hospital or new members of the family. She was known for her tender loving care and the singing of lullabies. In 1983 she retired from nursing after working for 25 years. Leone then embarked on a new career. She first became a step-on-guide for tour buses in the Loess Hills and then became an assistant director of the Loess Hill Tourism.

In 1997 Leone was honored with the State of Iowa Hospitality Award given by Governor Terry Branstad and the Iowa Division of Tourism at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In addition to all her activities above, Leone was a published author. She wrote articles, stories, and poems telling of her Danish heritage and growing up on the farm. Leone was a member and an Elder in the Community of Christ and attended the Thunderbird Branch in Glendale, Arizona. Leone also enjoyed attending the Interdenominational Services at the Desert Shadows Travel Trailer Park where Wilbur and Leone lived during their retirement years.

Leone passed away April 2, 2007, of renal and congestive heart failure at John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 84 years, three months, and eight days.

Leone was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Paul. She is survived by her husband, Wilbur Mann; son, Dennis Mann; two daughters, Marianne and her husband Larry Petersen, Kathleen and her husband Jerry Shaw; daughter-in-law, Lola Mann; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Ada Nuzum, Shirley and her husband Howard McWilliams; and many other relatives and friends.

Leone will be greatly missed by her large extended family. She touched the hearts of all those who knew her and memories and joy she brought to us will be cherished forever.