Leona A. Schiffer, 103, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 5:45 a.m. at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, with a wake service to be held at 12:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025, at St. Joseph Key West Church, with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 10556 Military Road in Key West.

Leona was born on September 27, 1921, near St. Donatus, IA, the daughter of Peter and Mary (Herrig) Nemmers. She grew up in the St. Donatus, LaMotte, and Otter Creek areas. She attended St. Lawrence Otter Creek Catholic School in Zwingle, IA. On February 15, 1944, she was united in marriage to Alvin C. Schiffer at St. Lawrence Otter Creek Catholic Church. Together they had three children: Corrine, Howard, and Lois.

They began farming near Fillmore, IA, for seven years, then farmed near Zwingle for 24 years until retiring to their newly built home and acreage in 1975 near the Zwingle Recreation Area. In 2000, they moved to Dubuque after Alvin suffered a stroke. During their farming years, they milked Guernsey cows, fed Angus steers, raised hogs and chickens, and grew crops. They worked as a team.

Leona’s occupations were numerous. She was a homemaker, gardener, and canner (oh, that canned beef!). She did needlework and sewing, and she and Alvin loved to ballroom dance. She helped milk the cows and led the horse on the fork (ouch! the horse once mashed her little toe). She was a devoted caregiver for those in need, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Leona often prepared “care packages” of food for anyone who was ill. If the parish priest was entertaining guests, she’d be called on for a pie or two. Somehow, she always had the ingredients on hand for any request. At 103 years of age, she was still baking cookies, pies, and angel food or carrot cakes from scratch.

She was known as a “prayer warrior” to many. It was important to her to have access to EWTN to follow the Mass and prayer times. She once told a visiting priest she would pray for us from Heaven.

She and Alvin were active members of St. Lawrence Parish for 49 years. At one point, they were part of the team that refinished the woodwork in the rectory, redid the sanctuary floor of the church, and refreshed the rectory’s paint.

As a devoted mother, she loved her children deeply and found her greatest joy in being a mom, grandma, and great-grandma. Her favorite moments were their special visits, baking their favorite treats, and seeing their appreciative smiles.

She is survived by her children: Corrine (Robert) Schatz of Key West–Dubuque, IA; Howard (Sheri) Schiffer of Marion, IA; and Lois Roth of Mt. Pleasant, IA.
Grandchildren: Brian (Susan) Schatz, Lee’s Summit, MO; Karen (Jason) Allemang, Kansas City, MO; Jason (Caitlin Kontgis) Schatz, Santa Fe, NM; Ryan (Aaron) Moe, LaGrange, IL; Cody (Sarah) Schiffer, Waukee, IA; Sarah (Brian) Kidawa, West Des Moines, IA; and Laura (Rajan) Krishnaswamy, Torrance, CA.
Great-grandchildren: Leah and Daniel Schatz; Emelie Allemang; Truett, Sutton, and Parker Moe; Cora, Maelie, and Elle Schiffer; Maura and Henry Kidawa; Kendall and Kiran Krishnaswamy.

Leona was preceded in death by her treasured husband, Alvin, on March 24, 2004 (one month after their 60th wedding anniversary); her parents; brothers, Sylvester and Vincent Nemmers; sisters, Veronica Anglin, Georgia McLaughlin, and Clara Lambe; son-in-law, Brian Roth; Alvin’s siblings and spouses; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to thank the residents and staff of Luther Manor Hillcrest Apartments, where she resided for the last 22 years. The euchre players were especially dear to her. Leona and her family also deeply appreciate her cherished lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Joseph Key West Parish, Mary’s Inn Maternity Home, or a charity of your choice.