Leona Adelaide Krupp, 96, of Elmore, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore, with the Rev. Dale Kohrs officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th St., in Blue Earth and one hour prior to services at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.

Leona Adelaide Goltz Krupp, daughter of Edward J. and Hulda H. (Neumann) Goltz, was born June 12, 1916, at her parent’s farm home in rural Wood Lake in Yellow Medicine County. She was baptized at St. Luke’s Lutheran Country Church in Posen Township on July 16, 1916, by J.C. Brauer. She was confirmed April 10, 1930, at the same church by the Rev. W. A. Poehler.

Leona attended public and parochial schools. Her mother passed away when Leona was 15 years old, and Leona continued to keep house, with all its farm duties for her father and brother for 8 1/2 years. She was married to Frederick Krupp on June 16, 1940, at her same church. The Rev. W.H. Bouman performed the ceremony before a church full of family and friends.

Frederick and Leona enjoyed a short honeymoon and then went to the Krupp family farm living in the same home Fred’s parents lived in for 40 years. In 1980 the couple moved to their residence in the city of Elmore.

Frederick and Leona’s union was blessed with three children, Marlin, Janae and Nadine. After crop failure, Leona went to work at Elmer Knutson’s Grocery Store in Blue Earth, now Juba’s Supervalu, where she continued to work for 20 years. Leona was a very busy homemaker in addition to working outside of her home.

Leona was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a loving and generous heart in home, church and community. Leona taught Sunday school for more than 30 years as well as Release Time and seventh-grade confirmation in her home for 10 years. Leona often would say “Trinity Church is my second home” as she was active at Trinity with Bible study, quilting, making lap robes and serving in any way possible. Fred and Leona were custodians of Trinity Church for more than 20 years and she often shared that, “by the grace of God it was our joy to do.” Leona was known for her spectacular flower gardens and it was her joy to use her flowers to beautify Trinity and to share them with so many.

Leona and her family were privileged by the grace of God to celebrate her 90th birthday on June 18, 2006, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Thus far, this obituary was written in Leona’s penmanship sometime after this joyous 90th birthday celebration, June 18, 2006.

In July of 2007, Leona was pleasantly surprised to be nominated and honored to be chosen as the Faribault County Senior Citizen of the Year. Leona felt greatly privileged as she was “irresistibly drawn” to attend the ordination of her grandson in Florida, set for Aug. 5, 2007. God, however, had other plans, for on that late Saturday evening, Leona suffered an ischemic stroke. Although her speaking ability was taken, she was still very much alert recognizing everyone and able to convey her needs and wants to her caregivers.

Prior to this time Leona loved life with a zest that is rare! Leona seldom sat still and enjoyed so many hobbies — gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, making banners and quilts, corresponding frequently with cards for birthdays, anniversaries and well wishes. She made an awesome potato salad and a to die for delicious apple pie! She was often particularly asked to do so and then share her tasty talent!

She spent much time in her garden, totally enjoying being in God’s presence of beauty with the miracle of growth of the seasons. She also loved to share many beautiful flowers and plants.

Leona read, wrote and kept many inspirational self-help items for anyone to better themselves and be closer to God. Her first and ultimate desire was to put God first in life. Her love of education and learning something every day continued until age 91 and yes, even at the rest home, she did!

Leona wrote the “saddest day of my life” was when her beloved Frederick died on Dec. 9, 2000, after 60 1/2 years of marriage. Leona was most proud of her children, Marlin and Donna Krupp of Elmore, Janae and Carroll Clausen of Albert Lea and Nadine and Richard Engel of Manteno, Ill.

Both Leona and Fred greatly enjoyed the activities, concerts, recitals and plays of each grandchild, Kim (Ben) Austin; Amy (Evan) Gough, April (Bryce) Beckman, Ross (Alisha) Engel, Kara (Brian) McHugh, Todd Engel and Kurt Engel.

Leona’s latest joy was her young great-grandchildren, Ayden Austin, Aria Gough, Adelaide Leona Beckman, Abigail and Eliana Engel and Seth and Nora Joy McHugh.

Her presence will be forever missed on every holiday and birthday. She is greatly loved by everyone who knew her.

Leona is survived by one sister-in-law, Leilah Franke of Truman and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, in 2000; her parents, Ed and Hulda Goltz; parents-in-law Albert and Elsie Krupp; brothers, Alfred and Henry; sisters, Laura, Clara, Emma, Elsie, Irene and Elda; sister and brother-in-laws, one niece and several nephews.

The family certainly wishes to commend and hugely thank the certified nursing assistants, nursing care, kitchen staff, chaplain and all at the Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea for the extraordinary, compassionate, love, care and concern that was given to Leona these past 5 1/2 years. May the Lord bless each one of you!

Mom, we thank you for your strength and encouragement. Her affectionate, glowing smile will always be with us as she enjoys the banquet of Heaven!