LEONA TENA HEIKES, age 93, of Luverne, died Monday, December 8, 2014, at the Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth. She was born October 8, 1921, in Nobles County, to Henry and Tena (Fischer) Visker. She graduated from country school east of Ellsworth.
Leona married Melvin Heikes on December 31, 1943, in Ellsworth. The couple farmed near Ellsworth before moving to the farm north of Magnolia. In 1985, they retired and moved to Luverne. Leona lived at Centennial Apartments before moving to Poplar Creek. In July of 2014 she became a resident of the Parkview Manor Nursing Home.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church for over fifty years; and the Luverne Senior Citizens. She enjoyed Bingo, bowling, playing cards and socializing. She was known as Lucky Leona and enjoyed going to the casino.
Leona is survived by her three children, Norma (Dennis) Remme, Magnolia; Judy (Ron) Sumption, Barre Center, NY; and Les (Janis) Heikes, Eden Prairie; daughter-in-law, Cindy (Don) Benjamin, Maine; nine grandchildren, Wendy (Tom) Wills, Shari (Aaron) Moerke, Scott (Lisa) Remme, Susan (Randy) Bork, Matthew Heikes, Tom Heikes, Michelle Sumption, Kaitlin (Cameron) Bartlett & James Sumption; six great grandchildren, Carter Moerke, Reghan Bork, Brady Bork, Blaik Bork, Xander Remme & Aden Remme; sister, Lorraine (Lawrence) Klooster, Luverne; a sister-in-law, Fern Visker, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin on July 12, 2005; son, James in 1969; grandson, Andy Heikes in 2009; and two brothers, Joe & Don Visker.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Thursday and 9:30 to 10:30 am Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Funeral will be 10:30 am Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, in Luverne, officiated by Pastors Jason Cunningham, Ron Sumption & Michelle Sumption. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Luverne.
Dingmann Funeral Home, in Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.