Leona Gourd

Leona June (Anderson) Gourd, 90, of Corning died February 8, 2015 at Corning Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born in Adams County, Iowa to Guy E. and Merle Enid (Farris) Anderson on June 10, 1924. Her great-grandfather, Gideon Farris was one of the thirteen founding members of Adams County in 1853. She attended Corning Schools, later receiving her G.E.D.
On June 15, 1940 she was united in marriage to Robert Lee Gourd at Maryville, MO, to this union two daughters were born: Shirley and Barb. They made their home on the Edgewood Farm north of Corning where she and Bob raised Purebred Spotted Poland China hogs. Leona prepared the animals for showing. They later moved to Corning. She enjoyed her employment at the hospital in admissions and also as dispatcher for the police department. Leona owned and operated The Emporium, a women’s fashion store, for many years.
Leona enjoyed music and played the piano and organ by ear; abstract oil painting; and decorating and designing. She and Bob bought many houses at tax sales; rehabilitated, rented and “flipped them before flipping was cool”. One of the houses they bought was the “Johnny Carson” birth place where they lived and later rented before selling.
Leona is survived by her daughters: Shirley Scott of Placentia, CA ; Barb James of Corning, IA; six grandchildren: Rob (Dena) Scott; Kevin (Jodi) James; Cynthia (Gary) Scott-Mabe; Kyle (Debbie) James; Kreg James; and Derek Scott; eight great-grandchildren: Thomas and Cody Scott; Harrison and Alex Scott-Mabe; Rebecca, Emma, Alyssa and Keegan James; brother: Virgil (Sylvia) Anderson of Mission, KS; sister: Genevieve Robertson of Mission, KS; Laurena Herzberg of Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-law: Mrs. Jack (Bessie) Gourd; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Leona in death were her parents; husband Robert in 2013; brother: William Anderson; nephew: Craig Herzberg; niece: Cynthia Stoaks; father and mother-in-law: Jess and Emily Gourd; son-in-law: Robert Scott; eight brothers-in-law: William Robertson; Leonard Herzberg; Ivan Gourd: Donald Gourd; Richard Gourd; Ronald “Red” Gourd; Russell “Bill” Gourd and Olin “Jack” Gourd; three sisters-in-law: Kathryn Dixon; Annis Hayes and Neva Nelsen.