Neva M. Leedale 83, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great, great grandmother and friend died Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Tri City Medical Center in Oceanside, California following a debilitating stroke. She was born March 27, 1933 in Princeton, Illinois to Merrill and Mildred (Draper) Einsele.  On March 24, 1964 she married the love of her life, James E. Leedale in Fresno, California. He preceded her in death on October 2, 1998.  Neva was a longtime active member of First United Methodist Church in downtown Newton.  She enjoyed yardwork and flowers especially tending her beloved peony plants and mowing her yard.  Neva was a very patriotic person and supported all of our armed forces especially the Navy and Marines in very visible ways including flying the American and Armed Service Flags.  Family was most important to Neva and she greatly looked forward to visits and keeping up with her loving family and many close friends she made in Newton. The family would also like to acknowledge the loving care Neva received at Tri City Medical Center in Oceanside, California.

She is survived by her son: Art and his wife Patty Leedale of Oceanside, CA; daughter Heather and husband Terry Goodwin of Twin Lakes, WI; Sister Nelda Lalicker of Illinois and step children Craig Leedale and Barbara Bigger.  She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild .

Neva is preceded in death by her husband James, her parents, one brother, one sister and one step son.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Donna Voteau presiding. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery Newton.  Visitation will be 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Sleep Train for Foster Children (www.sleeptrainforfosterchildren.org) or Caring Hands Humane Society in care of Petersen Funeral Home

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