Edele Leist

EDELE RITA LEIST

Edele Leist, a long time resident of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2012, surrounded by her loving family, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 1 day.
Edele was born July 6, 1923, the daughter of Hans Peter and Kirstin (Jensen) Pedersen in Freesslev, Denmark. In 1925, she came to America, on the King Frederick III, to Ellis Island when she was two years of age. The family settled in Carroll, Iowa, where she had her early schooling. Later they moved to Des Moines, where she graduated with East High Class of 1941.
Edele was married to Ilo Leist in Maryville, Missouri on April 5, 1942. The couple lived on the family farm in Exira, Iowa. While Ilo served overseas in the US Navy, their daughter was born. Two sons arrived after Ilo finished his military obligations.
While they farmed, Ilo and Edele were active calling square dancing, all over the country for nearly 20 years. Upon retiring in 1979, they remained busy - as Edele worked for Gift World, Sears and Waltons while Ilo drove for SWITA. She was dedicated to faithfully following the Lord and thoroughly enjoyed being a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She kept close friendships with her group of friends who met regularly for coffee, chatting and sharing jokes at McDonalds.
Proud to have come to this country, she counted it as one of her sweetest blessings. As an immigrant, she was interested in history and was an avid reader her whole life long. Most importantly, she always had time to keep very close to her children and grandchildren - the loves of her life.
Left to carry on her legacy, is her sister, Darlene Knutsen and husband, Carl, who will miss her dearly, as well as all of her family; her children, Marty (Gary) Hackwell, Collin (Mary) and Charles (Jan) Leist; grandchildren are Jeff Hackwell, Perry Hackwell, Shawna Repphun, Summer O'Neill and Noah Leist; and great-grandchildren are Devon Hackwell and Collyer and Sawyer Repphun.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ilo; and four siblings - two babies passed away in Denmark and a sister, Lydia and brother, Egon, in America.
There will be Open Visitation at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, Sunday afternoon, March 11, 1:00 - 5:00. Family will be present to greet friends at the funeral home also - on Sunday, March 11, from 5:00 - 7:00 in the evening.
Services for Edele will be held on Monday, March 12, at 1:30 PM, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Atlantic with the Committal Service at the Exira Cemetery. There will be a Coffee and Cake Reception at the church in Atlantic following the interment.
The Roland Funeral Home, of Atlantic, Iowa, is caring for Edele's family and her arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left on their website at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.



In Remembrance
Edele Rita Leist
Born July 6, 1923

Entered Into Rest
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
At the age of
88 years, 8 months and 1 day

Funeral Service
Monday, March 12, 1:30 PM
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Atlantic, Iowa

Officiating
Pastor Dennis Meyer
Pastor Grant VanLishout
St. Paul’s Luther Church ~ Atlantic, Iowa

Musicians
Eileen Denne

Musical Selections
Borning Cry
Hymn of Promise
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
By the Congregation

Casket Bearers
Jeff Hackwell Perry Hackwell
Shawna Repphun Kenneth Knutsen
Boyd Schlater Don Schlotzhauer

Honorary Bearers
Devon Hackwell Noah Leist
Summer (Leist) O’Neill

Committal Service
Exira Cemetery
Exira, Iowa