Leona Carkhuff

The Mass of Christian Burial for Leona Carkhuff of Wadena, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 26, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. Friends may call on Sunday at the St. Ann’s Parish Center from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with the Christian Mother’s Rosary at 5:00 and Parish Prayers at 6:00 p.m. Leona Kupfer was born April 6, 1924 to Charles and Philomena “Minnie” (Miller) Kupfer at her parents' home in Bluffton, MN. Leona grew up in Bluffton along with her six brothers and four sisters. She attended St. John's Catholic grade school, where she was also baptized and confirmed. After graduating from Wadena HS in 1943, she moved to Minneapolis and worked for NW Airlines for two years. She then returned to Bluffton and was introduced to her brother Bill's army buddy, Raymond Elmer Carkhuff. After courting for nine months, they were married on May 21, 1946 at St. John's. They shared 56 years together on their farm in rural Wadena raising their nine children. Leona's faith, family and friends were most important to her. She always enjoyed the family get togethers and visiting with her many good friends. She was a member of St. Ann's Parish in Wadena, Christian Mother's, Crosier Apostolate, and St. Joseph Society. When Leona was unable to continue living on her own, she was truly blessed by her son & daughter in law, Jim & Laurie Carkhuff, who opened their home to her and made it her home as well. Jim & Laurie were her main loving caregivers, with the help of Leona's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Leona went safely into the arms of Jesus on November 21, 2012 while at her home in rural Wadena, just down the road from where she and Ray lived for 56 years. She was welcomed into heaven by her husband Raymond, parents Charles & Minnie “Ma & Pa”, sons Roger “Butch” & Michael ”Mike”, grandson Ryan Carkhuff, son-in-law Tony Nanik, her grandpa Charles Kupfer Sr. who she held so many fond childhood memories with, sisters Marie Kupfer and Helen Weller, twin brother Leo, brothers Sylvester, Bill, Joe and Jim, and many special relatives and dear friends. Until our arrivals home, Leona will be deeply missed by her sons Fr. Tom, Bill & Diane, Jim & Laurie; daughters Mary & John Blom, Sue & Galen Hieb, Joyce & Jarel Hieb, Trish & Bruce Steinkopf; 24 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren; brother Bob of Seattle, WA; sisters Gertie Klinnert of Dundee,IL, Catherine Vorderbruggen of Bluffton; sisters-in-law Bea Kupfer of Bluffton, Irene Kupfer of Richfield, and Virgina Carkhuff of Norway, IA; brother-in-law Vernie Carkhuff of Lavista, NE, and many nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers were Leona’s grandchildren and great grandchildren .Serving as pallbearers were Kimberly Hokenson, Alecia McCall, Heidi Sibert, Gabby Weiher, Shelly Hegarty, Kristi Witthuhn, Jeanne Nanik, Patrick Carkhuff, Stacey Lillich, Jenny & Sarah Steinkopf. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Wadena.

Leona Carkhuff

April 6, 1924 - November 21, 2012