Leona L. Leonard, 89, of New Ulm passed away November 3, 2012 at Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm. There will be no visitation. A private family service will be held.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Home NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm is handling the arrangements.

Leona was born in Grantsburg, WI, on December 31, 1922. She was the daughter of John and Lena (Rickers) Buggert.

She graduated from New Ulm High School in 1941 and then from state teachers training in 1941 and taught country school for two years. In 1943 she enlisted in the U.S. Navy Waves. She served as an anti-aircraft gunnery instructor in Seattle, WA, and received an honorable discharge in 1946. On September 20, 1946 she married Philip Leonard of Osterville, MA. They lived in Osterville for many years, moving to New Ulm in 1991.

Leona is survived by her husband, children Judy Staples of Osterville, MA, Lauri (Michael) Shaw of Cary, NC, and James Leonard of Cary, NC; three grandchildren, five great grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law Arlene (Hilarius) Kral, Gladys (Michael) Stolte and Janice (Julian) Griebel, all of New Ulm and brother and sister-in-law Alton (Mabel) of Mesa, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Leslie Buggert and Fremont Buggert, sisters Lillian Buggert, Adeline Berg and Evelyn Riebel.