Leona Carlyn Mathews, 85, of Postville, Iowa died Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at her home with her family by her side, rural Postville, Iowa. Leona Carlyn was born February 9, 1932 at rural Elkhart, Iowa to Seward H. and Hilda (Kloster) Ness. She was baptized on March 20, 1932 and confirmed on November 17, 1946 at Palestine Lutheran Church, Huxley, Iowa. She attended the White Oak School through the tenth grade and graduated from Huxley High School. After graduation she worked at the Dairy Extension Office at ISU in Ames, Iowa. While working there she met Lloyd Mathews who was also working out of the office.
Leona was united in marriage with Lloyd Mathews on November 24, 1951 at the Palestine Lutheran Church, Huxley, Iowa. They moved to Postville, Iowa where Lloyd was employed by the Big 4 Dairy Herd Improvement Coop, with Leona working by his side testing many samples and helping with the bookwork. She was also employed by Hall Roberts & Son as a bookkeeper. To this union, four children were born. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa. Leona taught Sunday school, Bible school, and served on the church council. She was an active member of WELCA for over sixty years, with many years being in a leadership role. She served on the TASC board and spent many hours with the ARC association to make things better for the handicap. She was a member of the West Post Project Club. She enjoyed making quilts, baking, and working in her vegetable and flower gardens.
Leona is survived by her husband, Lloyd Mathews of Postville, Iowa; children, Roger Mathews of Postville, Iowa, Marilyn Mathews of Waukon, Iowa, Carol (Tod) Wilson of Holmen, Wisconsin and Sharon Mathews of Waukon, Iowa; three grandchildren, Nathaniel, Elizabeth and Rachel Wilson of Holmen, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Doris Ness of Huxley, Iowa; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Minnie Mathews of Bel Air, Maryland; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Seward H. and Hilda Ness, brothers, Harold (Violet) Ness, Lawrence (Dorothy) Ness, Clarence Ness, brother-in-law Keith Mathews, and niece Lawrene Donahoe.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant. There will be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Tuesday.
Burial will follow at Postville Cemetery, Postville, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Postville, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.