Funeral services for Leona A. Newman, 95, of Alden, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden. The Rev. Greg Ofsdahl will officiate. Interment will be in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Leona died on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Thorne Crest in Albert Lea.

Leona Augusta Newman was born on Sept. 21, 1916, the daughter of George A. and Mary (Reim) Wichmann. She grew up on the family farm near Conger, the fifth of nine children. She was baptized and confirmed at Bear Lake Lutheran Church. Leona went to country school, graduated from Alden High School and attended Normal School Teacher’s Training. On Dec. 15, 1947, Leona was united in marriage to Albert John Newman in Alden. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where she was very active. Leona also was a 4-H Leader, a member of the Freeborn County Planning and Zoning Commission and the Alden Senior Citizens. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and watching the Minnesota Twins. Most of all Leona enjoyed spending time with her family and especially with her sisters.

Survivors include her children: Bob and Shirley Newman, Frank and Ann Purdy and Rich and Brenda Newman; grandchildren: Lori and John Krull, Lisa and Joe Carda, Alison Newman, Dale Purdy, Ben and Amy Purdy, Gloria and Jason Heidemann, Jill and Luke Clark, Adam Newman, Ashley Benson and Clint Brua; great-grandchildren: Cody and Wyatt Krull, Austin and Avery Carda, Kane and Landen Purdy, Jager Heidemann, Emma, Layne, Cole and Sofia Clark, Sydney Newman, Kali Benson and Rylan Brua; sisters: Frieda Sorensen and Alma DeBoer; sisters-in-law: Verle Wichmann, Muriel Gries, Olive Newman and Laurene Farland; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Al; first husband, Jim Taylor; her parents; her brothers: August, Theodore, Harry, Albert and Walter; and her sister, Viola Ladwig; as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.