Leona Cornelson

It is with extreme sadness and somewhat shock that we announce the passing of Leona Cornelson after a short but courageous 7 week battle with cancer. Leona was born at her grandparents house in Main Centre, SK on New Years Eve Day December 31, 1936. She was the pride and joy of her parents Henry and Helen Kehler, and she was the older sister to Les, Alvin and Elsie. Her parents moved from Rush Lake, SK to Glen Kerr farming and running threshing machines, and then to Main Centre where Leona said was her most favorite community she ever lived in. She loved everything about Main Centre. And as a young gal, she worked at Wiebe's Grocery Store and her dad's grocery store. Leona attended Log Valley and Lady Bank school. When she started school, she only spoke German. But she caught on very quickly since English was the only language spoken in school. In 1953, Leona met Harry Cornelson, when Harry worked for Leona's dad, at H. F. Kehler and Sons. They were married on October 2, 1955 and in Main Centre is where they started their family. In 1958, their first born, Darcy Lane arrived. And in 1966, a daughter Darla Jayne completed their small family of four. In 1971, they moved to Herbert. Leona was always involved in the community and her church. She was a woman of Faith. When the kids were old enough to fend for themselves, Leona started work as a cook in the kitchen of the Herbert Nursing Home. She loved her job and the residents, and had so much fun with her co-workers. She retired after 22 years. Leona enjoyed reading, trying new recipes, being outdoors, and of course, her passion for gardening. She had the largest, most beautiful yard in Herbert! She absolutely enjoyed babysitting her four grand daughters. They were her pride and joy. Leona loved to debate politics with those who were courageous enough to challenge her on that subject! She was an avid supporter of the Swift Current Allied Arts Council for 38 years, and hardly ever missed a Stars for Saskatchewan performance. She enjoyed all music. Any genre from the Regina Symphony, Rita MacNeil, Jim Reeves, to ABBA! And her radio was always on CBC. Leona made an impact on everyone she met. Leona will be deeply missed but forever cherished in memory by those left behind. Her husband of 64 years, Harry Cornelson; her son Darcy (Beth) Cornelson; her daughter Darla (Leroy) Martens; her granddaughters: Amy (Dan) Cornelson, Amanda (Aaron) Cornelson, Jayda (Ethan) Martens and Jori (Colten) Martens; her brother Alvin (Lorie) Kehler; her sister Elsie (Otto) Zacharias; and many nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends. We find comfort in knowing that Leona is now in heaven with her loved ones that went on before her. Her baby girl Donica Wynn in 1962; her baby boy Cory Vaughn in 1965; her dad Henry in 1961; her mom Helen in 2012; and her brother Les in 2011. In memory of Leona, donations can be made to the Herbert Community Youth Ministry (The Cube) Box 429, Herbert, SK S0H 2A0. The funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Herbert Living Faith Fellowship Church with Pastor Lincoln Vellacott officiating. The urn bearer was Leona's special friend Shari Reimer, the eulogy was given by Alvin Kehler, the tributes from Darla and Jori Martens, The River and Where Roses Never Fade were sung by Donovan Epp, and honorary pallbearers were her four granddaughters. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 306-773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family on the memory wall.

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