Date of Birth:
Sunday, March 24, 1912
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Age:
99 years old

Leona Elizabeth Hayertz

Leona Elizabeth Hayertz, 99, of Dubuque, Iowa and formerly of Rochester, Minnesota died on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Bethany Home in Dubuque. She will celebrate her 100^th birthday in heaven with many loved ones.

Leona Elizabeth Ebner was born on March 24^th, 1912 in Witoka, Minnesota the daughter of John F. Ebner and Anna (Johns) Ebner.  She graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Rollingstone, Minnesota.  On June 6^th, 1934 she married Edwin J. Hayertz at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone.  The young couple lived in the Rollingstone area until 1951 when they moved with their two young children to Rochester, Minnesota.  Mr. Hayertz was a steam fitter, retiring in 1979.

Leona and Ed enjoyed traveling and fishing together and Leona always caught the “biggest fish”.  Leona spent seven dedicated years caring for Ed both at home and subsequently at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Rochester, after he became ill.  She didn’t leave his side until his death on April 29^th, 2000.

Leona worked at Buttrey’s, Three Sisters and Arnolds Ready to Wear in Rochester for many years until her retirement.  She enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, knitting and crocheting.  Each one of her six grandchildren has an afghan of her creation and each one of her eleven great grandchildren was wrapped in an afghan lovingly made by her.

She was a longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the Senior Citizens Services, Inc..  Leona lived in Rochester for 57 years and in 2008 she moved to Dubuque, Iowa to Bethany Home where she enjoyed the last 3 ½ years of her life.

She is survived by two children, Shirley (James) Kocer of Rochester, Minnesota and Eugene E. (Jan) Hayertz of Dubuque, Iowa; six grandchildren Steven (Lisa) Kocer of Austin. MN, Michael Kocer of Woodbury, MN, Terri (Tom  Ryan) Murray of  Farmington, MN, Timothy (Teresa) Kocer of St. Petersburg, FL, Matthew (Kelly) Hayertz of Ankeny, IA and Rebecca (Michael) McKittrick of Hoschton, GA; and eleven great grandchildren Stephanie and Braden Kocer, Benjamin Kocer, Ryan and Megan Murray, Tanner and Tori Kocer, Erin and Trey Hayertz and Claire and Colin McKittrick.  A sister Marian Truax of Norco, CA, many nieces and nephews and a very special godchild Sue Jordan of Fort Wayne, IN.

She was preceded in death by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin and Margaret Ebner and John and Alice Ebner and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn and Frank Plein and Lorene and Earl Speltz.

Friends may call from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester and one half hour prior to the service at the church.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Paul E. Nelson at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rochester.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Bethany Home in Dubuque who so lovingly welcomed Leona and cared for her.  Also, the staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Melanie, who shared and cared for Leona on her year long journey.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com