Leni Leoti (Sturman) Forney (1951)

BANKER, FORNEY, GARRETSON, STURMAN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:23

The Osceola Sentinel
Osceola, Iowa
Thursday, December 13, 1951
Page 9, Columns 1, 2, 3, & 4

Leni Leoti, daughter of Thomas and Caroline Garretson Sturman, was born near Winterset, Iowa, Sept. 6, 1860, and departed this life in Osceola, Dec. 5, 1951, at the age of 91 years, 2 months, and 29 days.

She acquired her education and grew to womanhood in Madison county.

On January 29, 1890, she was united in marriage to Joseph W. Forney of Plainfield, Ohio. To this union was born one daughter, Caroline.

During her girlhood she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. She was an earnest and devout Christian and served faithfully in many capacities, such as, Sunday school teacher, superintendent, organist and chorister. She was active in ladies’ aid, missionary societies, and other organizations of the church. She especially enjoyed training children and young people of rural communities for religious programs of various kinds. At the time of her death she was a member of the Community Bible church of Osceola with which congregation she had been affiliated for many years.

She had long been active in temperance work and for some time was president of the local Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

For three years she was matron of the Nurses’ Home at Greater Community Hospital in Creston.

More than 80 years of her long and useful life were spent in Iowa. She and her husband resided also for brief intervals in Ohio, Texas, and Minnesota. It was in the latter state that her beloved companion died in 1921. Since then she has made her home with her daughter and her son-in-law.

Possessed of a sunny disposition, industrious habits, and a noble and kindly spirit, she was loved by all who knew her. She found great joy and satisfaction in being busy and helpful in the home, in the community, and in the church. She was a devoted mother, a good neighbor, and a loyal friend. Despite her advanced years, she remained active and well until September, 1948, when she had the misfortune to suffer a stroke and a broken hip. Due to these afflictions and other infirmities, she was bedfast for over three years during which time she was tenderly cared for by her loved ones. Her cheerfulness and courage and the warmth of her smile will always remain cherished memories.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, and three brothers. Left to mourn her passing are her daughter and her son-in-law, Caroline and Joseph Banker of Osceola, also five nieces, four nephews, numerous other relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Funeral services were conducted from the Webster Funeral parlors, Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. David E. Mathews of the Community Bible church officiating.

Miss Twila Linthicum and Miss Marilyn Mathews sang “Saved By Grace” and “Abide With Me.” They were accompanied on the piano by Miss Neva Forbes. Casket bearers were members of the Community Bible church: Leonard Saddoris, Joe Scott, Emory Steele, Ralph Edwards, Harry Lingle and Ray Fouche. Interment was in the local cemetery.