Alice Jo Leonard
March 19, 1936 ~ September 11, 2023
Mass of Christian Burial for Alice Jo Leonard, 87, was held September 18, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Rev John Thomas was the Celebrant with John Rudd as Deacon.
Interment is in Calvary Cemetery in Ayrshire, Iowa.
Alice Jo Leonard, daughter of Jerrie Francis and Mary Irene (McCabe) Leonard, was born March 19, 1936 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. In 1938 Alice Jo and her parents moved to Great Oak Township. Alice Jo was always proud that her grandparents, Richard and Katherine McCabe, were original settlers in Great Oak Township. She received her education at Emmetsburg Catholic School, graduating from high school in 1954. Following graduation, Alice Jo continued her education at Emmetsburg Community College where she earned her teaching certificate. By taking summer courses through Drake University she earned a B.A. Degree in Education.
Alice Jo began her teaching career at the elementary school at Carroll Kuemper and then she went to Cherokee Catholic School. After her mother’s death in 1964, Alice Jo moved back to help care for her father. She then taught at Emmetsburg Catholic School and Sacred Heart in Spencer. She taught for a total of twenty five years before beginning her second career as the Dietary Supervisor at Lakeside Lutheran Home. She retired after eleven years at Lakeside.
Alice Jo was a faithful and devoted member of Holy Family Parish in Emmetsburg. She was also an active member of C.D. of A. After her retirement she volunteered for countless organizations, some of which included Lakeside Lutheran Home, the Senior Center, St. Pat’s Association and the BABES program. Alice Jo served on the Palo Alto County Hospital Foundation Board and was an active member and volunteer for the Hospital Auxiliary. She was a board member and served on the selection committee for the Eugene Leonard Scholarships. She was a member of the election board working the polls for several years, registering voters and she enjoyed being a member of the Red Hat Society. Alice Jo received a state volunteer award from Governor Terry Branstad.
In 2016, Alice Jo was awarded the honor of Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Her Irish heritage was very important to her throughout her entire life. She loved traveling and had the joy of going to Ireland three times, where she was able to visit cousins.
Alice Jo’s home was always open to friends and family, whether it was for a short visit or to spend a few days. Things most important to Alice Jo were her faith, her family and friends, her Irish heritage and being a “Great Oaker”.
Alice Jo passed away Monday, September 11, 2023 at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerrie and Mary Leonard; aunts and uncles, Alice Yoch, Loretta Sipes, Aileen McCabe, Jim McCabe, Leone Leonard, Joe Leonard and Gene Leonard.
She is survived by her cousins, Kitti (Yoch) McCarthy and her husband, Tim of Washougal, Washington, their daughter, Molly McCarthy Shirk of Redmond, Washington, Margaret Leader and Una of Ireland. She is also survived by her friends, Ric Dunigan, Mary Lou Murphy, Karen Conlon, and Mary Nieland Baumhover; special friend, Cinda Joynt Turner; her special little people, Bric, Landry, Aleya, Brant, Brielle, Liam, Mac, and Oliver.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
