Obituary of Leona Gertrude Wacker Holmes

    Leona Gertrude Wacker Holmes, daughter of Charles and Sadie (Philiph) Centner, was born April 8, 1921, near Melvin, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City, Iowa. She spent her youth in the Melvin vicinity where she received her early education, graduating from Melvin High School with the class of 1938.

    On March 30, 1941, Leona was united in marriage to Wilbur Wacker at Ocheyedan, Iowa. To this union two children were born: Barbara, and Dennis. Wilbur and Leona had made their home in various places until the spring of 1951 when they settled in Hartley, Iowa. Wilbur was employed here by the city and Leona, along with taking care of her family, worked at the Laundromat Coffee Shop, Yager’s Department Store and Hartley Drug and Fabric, all located in the town of Hartley. Leona was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley. She and Wilbur enjoyed spending time with their family and friends.

    Following Wilbur’s death on October 23, 1988, Leona married Raymond Holmes on November 2, 1990. He passed away on May 11, 2002.

    On Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the age of 101 years, Leona joined loved ones who had gone before: her parents, Charles and Sadie Centner; her husbands: Wilbur Wacker and Ray Holmes; two sisters; and one brother.

    She is survived by her children: Barbara and her husband, Bruce Nybakken of Maricopa, Arizona, and Dennis and his wife, Kathy Wacker of Hartley, Iowa; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A private Family Memorial Service and burial

will take place

June 17, 2023 at Hartley, Iowa