Leona Wallace, age 88, of Early, Iowa died Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center in Odebolt, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller, with Reverend David Lyons officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery in Early, Iowa. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call from 4-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller, where the family will be present from 6-8:00 p.m.

Leona Martha Eliza Hansen was born on December 8, 1919 in Cook Township, Schaller, Iowa to Emil and Caroline Hansen. She attended country school before graduating from Odebolt High School.  Following graduation, Leona attended Buena Vista College, where she received a teaching degree.  She taught country school for two years, then clerked at Millers Grocery Store for five years.
    
As an infant, Leona was baptized and later confirmed into the Lutheran faith.  She joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller in 1940.  She was a member of the Ladies Aid and Cook Merry Gardeners. 
    
On October 11, 1949, Leona was united in marriage to Elery Wallace of Battle Creek, Iowa.  They were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller.  Leona and Elery lived on a farm south of Battle Creek, Iowa for a year and a half, before moving to their present home, Cook Township, Early, Iowa.  Four children were born to this union: Kenneth, Glen, Melvin and Marlene.

Leona enjoyed gardening and especially flowers, and doing puzzles. She loved her family dearly and her grandchildren held a special place in her heart.
    
Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Kenneth Wallace and his wife Pam of Sac City, Iowa; Glen Wallace of Early, Iowa; Melvin Wallace and his wife LaVon of Early, Iowa; and Marlene Buffinton of Denison, Iowa; grandchildren: Crystal (Chris) Rardin, Cole (Tessa) Wallace, Cassie Wallace, Cody Wallace, Jenny (Troy) Rubendall, Greg Wallace, and Aaron Wallace; great grandchildren: Makayla and Brooke Rardin, MacKenzie and Nathan Wallace, Tori and Addison Rubendall; as well as a host of extended family and friends.
    
Leona is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elery;   one brother, Charles Hansen, Sr.; and son-in-law, Jim Buffinton.