Viola Mae (Hilton) LEONARD

LEONARD, HILTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/5/2014 at 13:07:05

October 25, 1939 --- February 19, 2014

Viola Mae Leonard, 74 years, of Bella Vista, Arkansas (formerly of West Des Moines, Iowa) passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born on October 25, 1939 in Rockwell, Iowa to Fred and Esther Hilton. The daughter of educators, Viola attended elementary school at Vernon Township of Renwick, Iowa and Ayrshire Elementary. She attended high school at Bagley High School and graduated from Woden-Crystal Lake High School in 1957. She continued her education at Iowa State University, before accepting a position at Preferred Risk Insurance in 1959. Vi served as Operations Manager for First Western Insurance Co. of West Des Moines, Iowa for over 20 years before retiring and moving to Bella Vista in 2001. Vi worked for Golf Operations of Bella Vista POA and was an active member of Highlands Methodist Church. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed bird watching and traveling.

She was preceded in death by her loving Savior, her parents; a grandson Josh; and a step-son Scott. She is survived by her husband Jerry; daughter Tammy (Jeff) of Peru, Nebraska; brother Gerald (Patty) of Strawberry Point, Iowa; brother-in-law Earl (Janet) of Ankeny, Iowa; step-daughters Cathy (JB) and Patty; ten grandchildren Jeremy (Sarah), Nate, Brianna, Ryan (Kaylie), Taylor, Eric, Maureen, Jack, Jenna, Jacob; one precious great-granddaughter Adalyn; and many dear nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 1pm at Highlands Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Vi to Circle of Life Hospice or Highlands SOS youth program.

Des Moines Register - Iowa
March 2, 2014