Thorpe, Leona Marie 1925- 2015

THORPE, FAGAN, GABEL

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/25/2017 at 07:11:42

Leona Thorpe

July 15, 2015

Leona Marie Thorpe, 89, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away early Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 20, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Le Mars with Reverend John Battern officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be after 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2015 with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue Monday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Leona Marie Fagan was born December 20, 1925 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Alan and Verna (Gabel) Fagan. As a young child, the family moved to a farm near Merrill, Iowa. Leona graduated from Merrill High School in 1943. She continued her education at Morningside College and then moved to Chicago, Illinois and later to Colorado Springs, Colorado where she met her future husband who was stationed at Fort Carson. Leona was united in marriage to Albert Thorpe on February 4, 1956. As a career soldier, Sergeant-Major Thorpe was stationed in Germany, Fort Hamilton (New York) and then back to Germany. Upon retirement from the Army, the family settled in Le Mars in 1968. Leona stayed home to raise four children. Volunteerism was very important to Leona. She was a long time member of First United Methodist Church/UMC-L where she participated in UMW and served as a District Officer and also helped coordinate Meals-On Wheels for her church for over 40 years. She also served on the funeral committee for many years. She also volunteered with the League of Women Voters, MDA, Senior Help Mates-to drive people to doctor''s appointments, and the gift shop at Floyd Valley Hospital. Leona was honored by Governor Terry Branstad with the "2013 Governor''s Award for Volunteering".

Survivors include her 5 children: Linda (Larry) Brinster of Frazee, Minnesota, Mickey Joe (Kathy) Thorpe of Shawnee, OK, Paul (Marie) Thorpe of Merrill, IA, Mark (Chris) Thorpe of Ankeny, IA, and Jerry (Candie) Thorpe of Elk Point, SD; 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. She is also survived by her brother, Leland "Al" Fagan and his wife Bev of Merrill, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alan and Verna (Gabel) Fagan; her husband Albert Thorpe on March 1, 2003; a grandson, Adam Thorpe McNamara; and a sister, Lila (Alex) Pelelo.