Rose M. Leonard

On March 23, 2008, Rose Marie Leonard let go and took God’s hand while at the Hickory Pointe Care & Rehabilitation Center in Oskaloosa.

She was born on August 30, 1928 in Ellis, Kansas the daughter of Andrew and Monica (Jacobs) Waldschmidt.

Rose married Robert “Bob” Leonard on February 2, 1948 in Topeka.  He predeceased her on December 3, 1980.

She was retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield where she worked from 1974 to 1990.

Rose was a member of Mater Dei’s Assumption Catholic Church where she was an active volunteer with weddings, funeral dinners and special activities including the annual bazaar.  She was also a volunteer for Let’s Help and a 4-H Club Leader for over 20 years. 

Rose will be remembered for her love of her family, cooking and playing bingo.  She also enjoyed going to her grandson’s sporting events  and the many outings with them.

She is survived by two sons, Donald Leonard and fiancée Gloria Cortez of Topeka and David Leonard of Berryton, a daughter Deborah Moreno and husband Gil of Topeka; three grandsons, Robbie Kuno, Daniel Leonard and Eric Leonard all of Topeka; two brothers, Walter Waldschmidt of Midwest City, OK., and Jerry Waldschmidt of Topeka.

Rose was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Leonard on January 28, 1961, and by two brothers, Lavern and Donald Waldschmidt and three sisters, Viola Cummings, Doris Moore and Rita Waldschmidt.

She will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Wednesday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. followed by a Parish Rosary at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mater Dei’s Assumption Catholic Church on Thursday, at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County Hospice and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 West Sixth Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences may be made to www.brennanmathenafh.com.