Leola Pendgraft


Leola M. Pendgraft, the daughter of Ora Eldon and Clara Mae (Lehigh) Cooney, was born February 6, 1923 on a farm near Oakland, IA and died November 26, 2013 at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA at the age of 90 years, 9 months, and 20 days.

Leola attended school at Oakland, graduating from Oakland High School with the class of 1941. In November of 1941, she was united in marriage to Claude Pendgraft at Oregon, MO. Leola worked at the Green Parrot Café, The Toggery, Rubacks, Hardware Hank, Pendy's Clothing, and then the Oakland Pharmacy. Leola moved to Council Bluffs several years ago.

Leola was known for her volunteer work and had even been given an award by the governor of Iowa for all of her effort. She spent countless hours at the Senior Center, the Oakland Christian Church, the Rebekah Lodge, and helping out at the VFW suppers. She enjoyed crocheting, crosswords, bingo, square dancing, clogging, plastic canvas, and sewing. She especially loved going to live music shows and traveling with her sister-in-law and best friend, Ginny Pendgraft.

Leola is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her brothers and sisters: Marilla, Eldon, Earladene, Eugene, Francis, and Leta.

She is survived by her son Bill Pendgraft and wife Barb of Oakland, IA; her son Alan Pendgraft of Beacon, IA; her daughter Lori Schiphorst and husband Henri of Oakland, IA; her grandson Todd Pendgraft and wife Jody of Oakland, IA; her grandson Austin Pendgraft of Albia, IA; her great grandchildren Maci and Brent Pendgraft of Oakland, IA; and her sister Mildred Hixon of Torrance, CA. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Oakland Christian Church in Oakland. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday at the Oakland Christian Church from 3-5 PM. Interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.