Lelia Leona Whitney

After high school, attended secretarial school and worked in Des Moines, Los Angeles, and Waterloo.

After marriage, worked in the First Trust Bank for two years and helped in the family hardware store in Aurelia.

Enjoyed sewing, reading and playing bridge.

Obituary:

Cherokee Chronicle Times, Monday, June 4, 2007

Lelia Whitney, 90, of Aurelia, died Monday, May 21, 2007, at the Sunset Knoll Care and Rehab Center in Aurelia, where she had resided for the last thirteen years. Funeral services were held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Larry Lemke officiating.

Burial was at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Aurelia.

Lelia Leona Wilma Honsbruch was born Jan. 27, 1917, the daughter of William and Rose (Buddenhagen) Honsbruch at Aurelia. She graduated from the Aurelia High School in 1934 as class valedictorian, and attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines for one year, and Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for one year.

On April 6, 1941 she married Rex William Whitney at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia. Over the years, Lelia worked at the Sheriff's Department, First Trust and Savings Bank (where she was the first female employee), Sunset Knoll Retirement Home, and Buena Vista College.

She was an active member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid, served as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher, and on the Building Committee. She was also a member of the band boosters, Women's Club, the Aurelia Centennial Committee, and was both a 4H and Cub Scout leader.