Leona Janice Wurm

Leona was involved in many local and globally focused community groups. She was an active member of St. John The Baptist Church and school for 70 years. A few events included as a St. John’s player, doing a dozen shows in front of and behind the curtain. She helped to organize the ‘Western Round Up’, worked in the ‘Loaves and Fishes’ food program in Minneapolis and was a leader in the Campfire Girls program.

Leona decided to go back to college in her 40s and received her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Minnesota, which became her career for 20 years. After retiring, there was time for more intensive volunteering in an African orphanage . She also mentored prisoners in the State Penitentiary and took care of residents in a women’s group home in Florida.

Leona is survived by her sisters Helen Yantes (Dwayne) and Mary Bell, sister-in-law Jerri Reifenberger, children Charles Wurm (Dawn Schatz), Mary Schmidt (Kem Gamrel), Theresa Boone (Steve Smith), Elizabeth Luetmer (Mark), many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband Konrad Michael Wurm, her sons Kasey and Danny Joe, her sister Evelyn Wegler, and her brothers Paul Reifenberger and Tom Reifenberger.

Leona’s life was multi-focused in family, church, friends and work, enriching the community for 90 years with her love, compassion and her smile.

Leona chose her recent ‘90 year birthday bash’ to be her celebration of life with friends and family, and asked for a private family funeral and burial. Funeral Mass for immediate family to be held Friday, October 16 at Saint John The Baptist, 680 Mill St, Shorewood, MN, at 1130AM. No reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, Leona requests donations be made to Saint John the Baptist School in Excelsior.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Montessori School

638 Mill Street

Excelsior, MN 55331

Tel: 952-474-5812

Fax: 952-444-3474

mail to: [email protected]

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