Services
Obituary
Anna Leonard, 81 of Belmond, passed away Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond.
Anna Marie Irvine was born on June 1, 1939 in Fort Dodge Iowa to Mary and Jerry Irvine. She graduated from Otho Township High School in 1957, and married Patrick Leonard on June 5, 1957. Anna and Pat had 4 children and moved from Fort Dodge to St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1974.
Anna held many jobs over the years in addition to raising her children. One of her greatest professional accomplishments was opening and operating a successful seasonal ice cream parlor in the Brainerd lakes area.
Anna loved to travel, play cards with her friends, work Sudoku puzzles, ride her bike, and swim. She is best known for her cooking and baking skills. Few things made her happier than cooking and baking for everyone around her.
Anna moved back to Iowa in 2007 and made Belmond her home. She formed many friendships and served on the board of Elderbridge Agency on Aging, and on the Parish Life Council of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She founded a grief group that met in Clarion, started a community garden, and founded the OSRM Community Room. Anna was a passionate advocate for elder care. When she wasn't personally caring for the elderly, she participated in bringing awareness to the need for elder services. Shortly after moving to Belmond, Anna found her true calling as an actress, playing the role of the "richest woman in Iowa" in the film Reunion. She followed that iconic performance with several other roles in local productions, yet somehow, the Academy ignored her during awards season.
She is survived by daughters Cindy Leonard of Hudson, Wisconsin, Jaci Hommerding (Scott Johnson) of Cold Spring, Minnesota, Patti White (Chris) of Olympia, Washington, son Matt Leonard (Jennifer Bull) of New Richmond, Wisconsin, grandsons Bryan (Sarah) Corbett, Andrew (Jessica Moertel) Corbett, Clay Hommerding, Ronan White, granddaughter Natalie Corbett, great-grandson Lucas Corbett, sister Cynthia (Jack) Pogge, brothers Tom (Mary) Irvine, Jerry "Mike" (Marsha) Irvine, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, all who loved her dearly and will miss her so much.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and grandparents, her sister Jean Aney, her niece Shanna Behyl, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A service for Anna is currently being planned for early June; details to follow.