Leona Ruth (Heinje) Kossman

Leona R. Kossman, age 100, of Holstein, formerly of Indianola, IA passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Cherokee Specialty Care of Cherokee, IA. A private family graveside service will be held on December 31, 2020 at the Galva Township West Cemetery of Galva with Rev. Paul D. Egger officiating. Burial wil be at the Galva Township West Cemetery of Galva.  

Leona “Tootie” Ruth (Heinje) Kossman was born January 21, 1920 in Wilmot, South Dakota. She was one of five children, born to John and Martha (Reil) Heinje.  She was baptized in Christ at the Wilmot Lutheran Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona, SD. She attended rural school at Lake Township.

Leona owned and operated her own beauty shop in Sioux Falls, where she met her husband, Richard Kossman. Leona and Richard were united in marriage on October 7, 1951. They were blessed with three daughters, Connie, Lynn, and Cheryl. They resided in Watertown, SD where she was a homemaker. Leona called many places home as they moved with Richard’s job. They lived in Brooten, MN, Mankato, MN, and Indianola, IA.  

Leona spent much of her life involved in serving her church. Some of the activities included teaching Sunday school, Ladies Aid, LWML, baking for church gatherings, and sewing clothes and blankets for those in need. Richard and Leona loved to go dancing and spent ample time twirling to polka music. They enjoyed seeing their family as they traveled across the country and to Alaska to see their daughter.  Leona thoroughly enjoyed playing cards and was in a bridge club and 500 club for many years.  She so enjoyed her grandchildren and spending time with them. She was thrilled to attend all of their college graduations.   

She worked as a nurses aid for 12 years at the Good Samaritan in Indianola until she retired.  In 2012, Leona moved to Holstein, Iowa to be near her grandkids and daughter. She found Holstein to be very welcoming. 

She is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Tom) Andresen of Holstein, IA; three grandchildren, Nick Andresen of Climbing Hill, IA, Ben (Christi) Andresen of Walnut Creek, Ca. Victoria (Nick) Stromer along with her great grandson, Parker Thomas of Garner, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Richard, daughters, Connie Thompson and Lynn VanderLinden; siblings, Elroy (Vivian) Heinje, Elnora (Carl) Palmquist, Adella McClelland and Earnest (Leoda) Heinje.

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