Leona H. Martin

Leona H. Martin,101, of Washington, passed away on February 24, 2026. Mrs. Martin, daughter of the late August Kleekamp and Catherine nee Buhr, was born on January 19, 1925, in Villa Ridge. She received her education from St. Francis Borgia. On February 23, 1946, she was united in marriage to Morris “Lefty” Martin in Washington.

Leona took great joy in entertaining and serving as a gracious hostess to her family, extended family, and a wide circle of friends. She held a special fondness for family gatherings and cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose presence brought immeasurable happiness to her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Morris “Lefty” Martin; daughter, Marilyn LaBoube; granddaughter, Caraline LaBoube, and seven siblings, Hilda Alferman and husband Herb, Marian Hoelscher and husband Mike, Erwin Kleekamp and wife Marie, Victor Kleekamp and wife Mildred, Ray Kleekamp and wife Theola, Gus Kleekamp and wife Elsie, and Bob Kleekamp and wife Lorraine.

Among her survivors are three daughters, Kathleen Marquart and husband Everet “Shank”, Deborah Thornhill and husband Gary of Washington, and Madonna Walsh and husband Dan of Washington; sixteen grandchildren, Stephanie Schroepfer and husband Scott, Everet “Jay” Marquart and wife Jenni, Stacie Edwards, Shanon Hunn and husband John, Sharon Eckhoff and husband Martin, Martin “Joe” Marquart and wife Dana, Christa Horn and husband Scott, Katie Meador and husband Joe, Clay Thornhill and wife Beth, Clint Thornhill, Joshua Straatmann, Andrew Straatmann and significant other Ashley Williams, Mara Hill and husband Zak, Daniel Walsh, Zachary LaBoube and Adrienne LaBoube; thirty great-grandchildren, Luke, Cole, and Noah Schroepfer, Cree and Nia Marquart, Justice, Marqus, and Daisy Edwards, Adam Marquart, Kalyn, Aleea, and Karly Siebert, Dane and Drew Eckhoff, Braxton and Jordan Marquart, Morgan Elbert, Cierra Coulter, Landon and Liam Meador, Tyler and Grant Thornhill, Kyler, Makalynn, and Ciara Horn, Caraline and Jack Fisher, Isaac LaBoube, and Molly Rae and Veronica Jade Hill; ten great-great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Lilly Marquart, Layton and Leland Cignetti, Thomas Stefner, Owen Pope, Elias and Ivan Coulter, Tula Thornhill, and Eleanor Overschmidt; two sister-in-laws, Jane Lifer of Springfield, IL, Wanda Milligan of Rolla, MO; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the St. Francis Borgia Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the St. Francis Borgia Church.

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