NANNENGA, Leila Mae 1947 - 2017

NANNENGA, STEENHARD, HAWLEY

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/15/2018 at 11:36:34

Leila Mae (Steenhard) Nannenga of Thornton, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2017, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, at Zion Reformed Church, 2029 Jonquil Ave., Sheffield, Iowa, with Pastor Art Zewert officiating.

Visitation with be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Retz Funeral Home in Thornton, Iowa. Interment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton. Inquiries may be made at 641-892-4241.

Leila is the daughter of Edward and Marlys Steenhard of Sheffield, Iowa, born Nov. 2, 1947, in Hampton. Having grown up on a farm southwest of Thornton, Leila soon displayed her love for the out-of-doors, preferring to work with her father whether it involved doing livestock chores or working in the fields.

She graduated from the Meservey/Thornton school system in 1966 and went on to attend NIACC in Mason City, Iowa, attaining her associates of arts degree.

On Nov. 29, 1970, Leila was united in marriage to Christ J. Nannenga at the First United Methodist Church of Thornton. During the early stages of dating, the duo went to check out some springing Holstein heifers near Ventura, Iowa, the prelude to the union of a country girl and a farm boy.

To this union was born their only child, Elizabeth Ann Nannenga, on Nov. 27, 1977.

Leila faithfully journeyed through life by the side of her husband in his many varied endeavors. Some of her experiences included working as a farrowing attendant at Pleasant Valley Pork of Swaledale, Iowa; sharing in the ownership and operation of the Townhouse Cafe of Thornton, Iowa; owner and operation of the Southern County News of Thornton, Iowa; as well as being a pillar of support during her husband's tenure as Cerro Gordo County Supervisor.

As a person of many talents, she enjoyed sewing many of her daughter's and husband's clothing.

As her family has a long history of enjoying the peace music can bring, she cultivated Elizabeth's interest in vocal and instrumental music throughout her daughter's school years with Elizabeth going on to become an honor graduate of Drake University of Des Moines and employed as a music teacher today.

Elizabeth's mother would seldom miss a school concert conducted by her daughter, for "Mamma Bear" was never far removed from any of her daughter's activities. At an evening musical rehearsal, Elizabeth introduced Leila as "Mamma Bear”: someone who will do all in her power to help, protect, and love, but beware the consequences of making her "growl." The nickname stuck.

Leila's passion for the arts, her love of being able to create lovely items from a spool of thread, a skein of yarn or a bolt of fabric continues her legacy in her daughter's private as well as professional life.

Leila was a quilter who enjoyed all of the sewing arts. A fun pastime for Leila was to go on quilt shop hopping road trips with Elizabeth. Her interest in reading as well as in genealogy suited her well as she worked for a term as school librarian and Thornton Public Librarian.

In truth, Leila was heartbroken when the Thornton school building was closed, a closing that would separate her from the many students who came to the library to read, study or just to share a concern.

Being very active in her faith, she assisted in Bible school and Sunday school programs. She would personally go door-to-door in her community inviting children she knew of to attend Bible school. Having been very influential in its structure, Leila had a high regard for the after-school "Kid's Club" program housed at the Grace UMC of Mason City, Iowa.

Leila, a cancer survivor, was afflicted with Parkinson's disease as well as renal failure.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Nannenga of Thornton, Iowa; her brother, Daniel Steenhard of Sheffield, Iowa; her husband, Christ J. Nannenga of Story City, Iowa; her sister-in-laws, Mary (Brewer) Nannenga of Story City, Iowa and Marie Nannenga of Mason City, Iowa; her niece, Jackie (Mark) Hawley and great-nieces, Beverly and Katherine Hawley of Roland, Iowa, as well as many relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Marlys Steenhard, and brother-in-law, Karl Nannenga.