Leone Riekenberg Kern Perott

Leone Riekenberg Kern Perott, 90, of Washington, Kansas, died Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the Homestead Nursing Home surrounded by her family. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Monday, February 21, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Washington. The Rev. Judy Hill officiated. Sheila Ouellette played the organ and Dr. James Smart sang "What a Friend We Heve In Jesus." The congregation sang "Amazing Grace." The pallbearers were her grandsons, Ryan Kern, Adam Kern, Tyler Kern, John Kern, Jay Kern, Jim Kern, Troy Grogan and Calvin Grogan. The honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters, Kelli Oestreich, Amy Kern and Kristi Tweddell. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Leone was born September 13, 1920 at Breckenridge, Oklahoma, the middle child of eleven children born to Anna Lohse and Henry Riekenberg. She was confirmed at Hermansberg Lutheran School at Hermansberg, Kansas, where she attended for 8 years. She attended Odell High School for one year and graduated from Hanover High School in 1940. Leone received her teaching certificate at Manhattan, Kansas and taught in country schools for 6 years. On May 8, 1944, she married William Frank Kern in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before he went overseas during WWII. After the service they lived and farmed near Hanover, Kansas. On October 3, 1961, William died of a heart attack. On January 6, 1967, Leone married Bernard Hubert Perott at Hanover. In 1970 they moved to Washington. On April 2, 1991, Bernard died at Marysville, Kansas. Leone worked as a medical aide at the Homestead Nursing Home in Washington for fourteen years. She was active at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the WELCA Women's Group and quilting guild. She was a resident at the Homestead Nursing Home for the last four years. Survivors include two sons, William (Lou) Kern and Robert (Murlana) Kern, both of Washington, Kan.; one daughter, Lyla (Keith) Grogan, Price, Utah; one brother, Lawrence (Beulah Mae) Riekenberg, Beatrice, Neb.; one sister, Verna Dusin, Phillipsburg, Kan.; eleven grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, William Kern and Bernard Perott; step-daughter, Darlene Gifford; step-son-in-law, Ted Gifford; three brothers, Fred Riekenberg, Henry Riekenberg and an infant brother; seven sisters, Frieda Paulson, infant sister Esther Riekenberg, Viola Rupe, Laura Fruehling, Erna Kellogg, Anna Johnston and Valeria Dozbaba. A memorial fund has been established to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 W 2nd, Washington, Kansas 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leone Riekenberg Kern Perott, please visit our flower store.