Visitation August 14 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Huebner Funeral Home - Denison
Prayer Service August 14 5:00 PM Huebner Funeral Home - Denison
Rosary August 14 6:30 PM Huebner Funeral Home - Denison
Mass of Christian Burial August 15 10:30 AM St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church - Denison

Leona Mildred Erps was born March 23, 1933, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Pletchette) Klocke. She died Thursday, August 11, 2016, at the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-three.

Leona was born in Templeton, Iowa. After receiving her education she helped her parents on the farm. On December 29, 1954, Leona was united in marriage to George Erps. They made their home in Manning, Iowa and were blessed with the birth of six children. The couple moved to Denison in 1964. Leona volunteered to assist people in need, such as helping with laundry duties.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed hosting family birthdays, her cooking and baking will be fondly remembered forever by her family. She loved embroidering, reading newspapers and cutting out articles to share with others and new recipes for her to try. In her leisure time Leona loved playing Bingo, cards especially Euchre tournaments, dancing, traveling to visit family, socializing with family and friends and held bragging rights as she shared family photos. Leona and George delivered the Denison Newspaper and Advisor for fifteen years.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George in 2006; two children, Patricia and Dennis as infants; one grandson, Zackary Erps; four sisters, Jeanette Klocke in infancy; Luella Klein and her husband, Bernard; Vangee Cox and her husband, Cecil; Elaine Sporrer and her husband, Clarence "Doc"; three brothers, Harry Klocke, Louis Klocke and his wife, Mary; and Joe Klocke. Survivors include two daughters, Georgia Healy of Denison; Linda Custer and her husband, Craig of Tacoma, Washington; two sons, Leroy Erps of Tacoma, Washington; Lyle Erps of Denver, Colorado; five grandchildren, Brandi Marshall and her husband, Charles; Chase Custer and friend, Misty; Jennifer Eden and her husband, Doug; Kirsten Flake and her husband, Zach; and Josh Berns; seven great-grandchildren, Travis, Violet, Gauge, Makenzie, Bailey, Anna and Cooper; three sisters: Kathleen Irlmeier of Audubon, Iowa; Leana Kalkhoff and her husband, Donald of Manning; Carol Hoffman and her husband, Eugene of Carroll; sister-in-law, Lorraine Klocke of Carroll; other relatives and friends. The family would like to offer a special thanks to Gentiva Hospice and the Denison Care Center for the excellent care they gave to their mother.