Ruhland, Leona A. (1911-2008)

RUHLAND, KEMP, MEIS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/18/2008 at 19:55:19

Leona Ruhland, 97, of Le Mars died Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

The former Leona A. Kemp was born Feb. 12, 1911, on the family farm south of Le Mars, the daughter of Hubert and Margaret (Meis) Kemp. She grew up near Le Mars and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Leona married Benedict J. Ruhland on Jan. 5, 1932, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars. The couple farmed and were engaged in a dairy operation for 44 years south of Le Mars before moving into town in 1972. Her husband Ben died on Oct. 3, 2006.

Leona was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Christian Mother’s Society, Catholic Daughters of America and several card clubs.

She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, cooking and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include six children and their spouses: Ron and Ellen Ruhland of Remsen, Larry and Dorothy Ruhland of Le Mars, La Vonne and Paul Loutsch of Remsen, Dan and Charleen Ruhland of Remsen, Mary Lee and Don Nuebrand of Le Mars and Glenn and Alice Ruhland of Le Mars; 24 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; a great-great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ben Ruhland; an infant daughter Joyce Ann; five sisters: Angeline Koopman, Josephine Holzman, Celeste Scharrer, Irene Phillips and Frances Kellen; three brothers: Lawrence in infancy and Joe and Al Kemp; and a daughter-in-law Mary Margaret Ruhland.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars with Rev. Kevin Richter presiding. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

Visitation at St. Joseph’s Church was after 3 p.m. Sunday. There was a combined rosary by the Christian Mothers and Catholic Daughters at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation resumed Monday morning at the church one hour prior to the Mass. Arrangements were under the direction of the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Pallbearers were Guy Ruhland, Curt Ruhland, Dean Loutsch, Russ Ruhland, Jeff Neubrand and Brent Ruhland. Honorary pallbearers were Mary Lynn Frericks, Laurie Tomasek, Julie Coburn, Brenda Gengler, Shelli Soma and Rachelle Ruhland.

From Le Mars Daily Sentinel, 2/18/2008, page 5