Leona Westphal

Leona Westphal, 90, of Corning, Iowa, passed away Friday, June 21, 2024, at her home in Corning. Memorial Services will be 11:00 A.M., Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Corning, Iowa, with Pastor Daryl Tompkins officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M., in the Massena Center Cemetery, Massena, Iowa. Family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Corning, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Redeemer Lutheran Church, RoseAnn Auxiliary or Corning Public Library. Memories and on-line condolences my left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com. 

Leona Elizabeth (VonDielingen), daughter of John and Louise (Meyers) VonDielingen, was born April 18, 1934 in Clarinda, IA. She departed this life at home on June 21, 2024. Leona graduated from Clarinda High School in 1952 and attended Clarinda Junior College. After graduation Leona worked at Lisle Corporation until her marriage to Verlyne Otis Westphal on Feb 6, 1955 at St John’s Lutheran Church in Clarinda.

Leona and Verlyne first settled to a farm near Prescott, IA. Over the years they lived in Corning, Wiota and Anita. While in the Anita area she was a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher and seamstress. She also sold Slim Gym exercise equipment and fabric. They returned to Corning in 1976 and settled in town. Leona started work at the Pick Up N Go in 1977. She eventually bought the store in 1984 and renamed it Corning Mini Mart. Leona owned and operated the Corning Mini Mart/Westside Spirits and laundromat for over 35 years.

Leona was active in the Republican Party, Petroleum Marketers and Iowa Grocers Association. She made sure to take some of the older grandchildren on trips to Washington, DC and Des Moines while she met with legislators on different issues. She loved visiting with all the customers that came into the store.

She was named Corning Business and Professional Woman of the Year in 1986 , and received the Governor’s Volunteer Award in 1996 and Corning Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007.

She is survived by one son and five daughters: Linda (Rex) Eberly, Deborah (Mike) Olive, Diane McCarthy of Ames, IA, Loretta (Tim) Gray of Nodaway, IA, Randall (Traci) Westphal and Melanie Hawley of Biloxi, MS. Also surviving her are 14 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.

Preceeding her in death are her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters.