Leona L. Braun, 102, of Waterloo and formerly of Sumner, died Sunday, June 11, 2017, at the Affnity House in Waterloo.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner, where a Rosary will be recited at 8:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday with Rev. Tom Kadera celebrating the Mass. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Sumner. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner is in charge of arrangements. 

Leona Lucille, daughter of Sam and Anna (Zamastil) Kadera was born January 7, 1915, near Oxford in rural Johnson County, Iowa. She received her education in the Fredericksburg Country Schools graduating from Fredericksburg High School in 1932. Leona continued her education receiving a Teaching Certificate from Upper Iowa University in Fayette. She taught elementary education in the Fredericksburg Country Schools. On June 2, 1936, she was united in marriage with Orie Braun at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Rev. John Fischer presiding. The couple farmed in the Fredericksburg area for many years prior to retiring in 1976. The couple remained on the farm until moving to Sumner in 1996. Leona was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner and the Social Center near Fredericksburg. She enjoyed baking, crocheting, and was very well known for her quilting ability. Orie’s death occurred on June 21, 2008. Leona continued to live at home until moving to Waterloo in 2010, to be closer to family.

Leona is survived by her five children; Blaine (Christine) Braun of Elk Run Heights, Leland (Dody) Braun of Prairie City, Garen Braun of Marion, Arlene (Leonard) Schroeder of LaVernia, Texas, and Jenell (Betty) Braun of Caldwell, Texas; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Eugene (Darlene) Kadera of Sumner; and one brother-in-law, Lee Cadogan of Davenport.

In addition to her parents, and husband, Orie, she was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Nathan Springer, three brothers, Lumer Kadera, Leonard (Edith) Kadera, and Edward (Betty) Kadera; one sister, Edith Cadogan; and one daughter-in-law, Carol Braun.