Alma was born on October 22, 1930, the daughter of Phil Jacob and Luella Dorothea (Witter) Wilmot in Boyer Valley, Iowa. She grew up in Cherokee and graduated from Wilson High School in 1950. Alma was a drum majorette in the band, worked at Woolworth’s, and loved to go roller skating. It was at the roller rink in Cherokee where she met her love, Amos Arnold Leonard. They married on July 16, 1950, and settled in the Washta area.
Together, they were members of the Washta United Methodist Church, their neighborhood card club, served as Scout leaders, and loved to go polka dancing.
As a farmer’s wife, Alma cared for their growing family and the many chores that come with running a farm. Over the years, she worked various jobs to supplement the family income. Alma was a talented cake decorator, making many beautiful cakes for weddings, birthdays and other life events. She was also a sales consultant for Merri-Mac, the “sample lady” at several grocery stores, and later worked as a cook at Countryside Estates.
In retirement, Amos and Alma moved to Cherokee in 1990, and eventually to Autumn Park. She always stayed busy with her family and friends. She was everyone’s “Grandma” no matter where she went. Alma was quite the socialite at Autumn Park where she lived for many years, always planning a potluck or menu for the next holiday.
Her family will treasure her embroidered dish towels, and will smile knowing there are many puzzles out there missing a piece that she kept just so she could always be the person to finish it. Alma’s unconditional love and compassion will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her children, Amos “Skip” (Kelly) Leonard, Jr. of Aurelia, Becky (Russ) Lucht of Larrabee, April (Duane) Veit of Odebolt, Clint (Michelle) Leonard of Sioux City, and Jason (Jill) Leonard of Wall, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, Roxanne (Chris) Samsel, Jacob (Ethan Olson) Wittrock, Christie (Mike) Kolpin, Rhonda Westeen, Andrea Leonard, Jared (Gena) Leonard, Cody (Rani Vaughn) Leonard, Jordan Leonard, and Justin Leonard; and many great and great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years, Amos Leonard, Sr.; and siblings, Dean Wilmot, Allen “Buck” Wilmot, Donna Gadke, Dale Wilmot, and Delia “DeeDee” Clayton.
Please share your love and memories with Alma’s family on her obituary page at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
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