Memorial
Wilma Leone Guyer Geary
Leone was born on April 8, 1930, to Lee Roy William and Ruth Rosetta (Mohr) Guyer in Maquoketa, Iowa.
She attended Elwood Community Schools and graduated in 1948. She was an exceptional high school basketball player averaging almost 30 points per game. She was a life-long fan of high school and college athletics and followed her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews throughout their high school and college careers.
Leone's singing voice developed at an early age, and it was said that “she could sing like a bird”. She was often featured in the Maquoketa church and community choirs. Leone loved to sing spirituals and told her family of singing for her college music professor who asked her to perform several times.
After high school graduation Leone attended Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) and received her Teachers Certificate in 1950. Her first teaching position was in Wyoming, Iowa where she met her husband Vincent Edward Geary. They married on June 13, 1952, in Harlan Iowa. Leone was employed by the Marion Independent School District as a first and sixth grade teacher while Vince was employed by the Quaker Oats Company.
Leone received her BA from Coe College in 1963 and continued to teach for many years.
Leone was an excellent seamstress making her professional clothes, clothes for her children and special occasions outfits.
Over the years, she developed a deep interest in metaphysics including Astrology, Numerology and the power of the mind. In the late 70’s she taught classes through the Kirkwood College Evening Adult Continuing Education program and made many friends with those who attended her classes as well as members of Unity Center of Cedar Rapids and the PSI Group. Leone enjoyed attending various SFF retreats with her family in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Michigan.
Leone was a life-long learner and enjoyed reading. One of her favorite activities was to attend the annual Cedar Rapids Library book sale held in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
She was an avid genealogist and was very proud to be a member of the DAR. One of her favorite road trips was taking her parents to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to visit the home place of the Phillips and Guyer families. She enjoyed visiting the cemeteries in Clinton and Jackson counties and telling family members about the ancestors buried there. Family connections were important to her and was always eager to go to the Mohr, Fleming-Piton, and Guyer reunions each summer.
She also enjoyed shopping, the NE Iowa Art Tour and auctions.
Leone is survived by her daughters Ruth Ellen Geary, Laura Geary Bell (Ted), Stepson Dennis Geary (Candace), grandchildren, Allison, Meghan, Jason, and Devon, and two Great grandsons.
Memorials should be made out to the family for dispersal at a later time.