Leona Mae Brewer

Leona Mae Brewer, 92, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away June 1, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.  Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, Missouri, with family visitation beginning at 10:00am.

Leona is survived by her daughters Susan Sims and husband Ron of Berryton, KS,   Diane Collier and husband Mark of Beavercreek, OH,  and “Gigi” (Glenda G) Brewer and husband George Robles of Leawood, KS;   by her grandchildren Bill Jackson and wife Krista, Bonnie Loesch, Lindsey Sims, Sarah Sims, Emily Sims, Becca Mingle and husband Nate, Chris Robles and wife Amanda, Cameron Robles, and Courtney Robles; and by her great-grandchildren Jeni Loesch and Nathan Loesch; Lilia, Robbie and Piper Jackson; Zeke Mingle, as well as two more on the way.

She is preceded in death by her husband Earl Mabry Brewer, her parents Harold Jorgenson and Selma Myhre, and all of her siblings Myla Kalina, Annie Johnson, Ella Jorgenson, Floy Olson, Letty Thompson, Harold Jorgenson Jr, Marlene Peterson and Cleo Sabe.

Leona was born on January 5, 1929 in Bowman, ND, and grew up with 8 siblings on a farm.   She graduated at age 17 from Bowman High School as Salutatorian in 1946, then went on to attend and graduate from Holy Rosary Nursing School, Miles City, MT, in 1949.   From there Leona worked and adventured as an RN in Miles City, Denver, and then on to San Francisco, where she met Navy sailor, Mabry Brewer in May of 1952.   It was a whirlwind romance, as they were engaged after one month and then married after another on July 11, 1952.  She worked as an RN at the University of Oklahoma’s clinic while Mabry attended college until the birth of their firstborn, Susan, in 1955.  Subsequent children, Diane arrived 2 years later in Charleston, WV, then Gigi 4 years later in Kansas City.  By this time Leona was a full time homemaker and volunteer.

Volunteerism was a cornerstone of Leona’s life:   she volunteered at her Lutheran Churches in Baytown and Bowman, at the Baytown Police Station, at the Bowman Museum, at the Bowman Senior Meals, plus she volunteered her personal time and talents for numerous friends and family.   Her other hobbies included crocheting, reading, gardening and baking. 

Leona was well known for her dry sense of humor that kept everyone giggling.  She was also known to be mischievous and always looking for a bit of fun. Family was always very important to her and she passed those strong family values on to her daughters.   She will dearly be missed and forever in our hearts.