Our beloved mother, Leona Alice Seidel, died Sunday, January 7th, 2024, surrounded by family at her home in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
She was born September 13, 1930, the second child of Martha Edith (McDaneld) and Marvin Henry Winegarner in Centralia, Illinois.
Leona married Richard Seidel, a farmer and veteran of World War II, in 1948, the same year that she graduated from Salem High School.
The pair had five children, the youngest of whom was five when Leona started working as a nursing assistant at Murray’s Center in Centralia, Illinois. She also found time to sew, garden, and be a 4-H leader for her children and their contemporaries.
In an era when most women did not work outside of the home, she went back to school. Leona graduated as a registered nurse in the first–ever nursing class of Kaskaskia College (Centralia) in 1972.
Leona began her career as an RN in Salem, Illinois, and continued when the family moved to Willcox, Arizona, in late 1972, with their youngest three children.
She and Richard bought the Willcox Commercial Company in Willcox in 1974, the oldest continuously run store in Arizona. She supported the family business through her labor at Willcox and Tucson nursing homes, ultimately helping to open a hospice unit at the VA hospital.
The Queen of cactus fruit jelly, “Ona” inspired generations of jam-makers.
The family was one of Leona‘s greatest joys. She modeled independence, intelligence, and strength for us. And, let us not forget vocalizing opinions.
We miss her dearly.
Leona is survived by daughters; Peggy Seidel (Mark Atherton), Patty Seidel (Mark Andrews), Marty Seidel Bond (Dan Bond), son; John Seidel (Loretta), son-in-law; Mario Klimiades, grandchildren; Luke Crawford (Sarah Newman), Megan Atherton (Jason Friend), Miles Atherton, Aurora, Zane and Max Seidel, Ray and Dale Bond, great-grandchildren; Mason and Felix Atherton-Friend, Soma Bond, a sister; Grace Elwell, sisters-in-law; Emma Niepoetter of Centralia, Jean Lordan, brothers-in-law; Joe Seidel (Charleen), Dan Seidel (Renee’) of Sandoval and many nieces and nephews.
Leona was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her son Dale, her parents, her sisters Margie and Vera, her brother Ralph, and many other precious family.
Arrangements were made by West Funeral Home, Carlsbad, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Charles Wm. Leighton Jr. Hospice, (520) 384-5878, CWLJ Hospice P.O Box 115, Willlcox Az, 85644.
A memorial is being planned.
