Leota M. Roider

Leota M. Roider, nee Kirkley was born on December 5, 1929, in Neelyville, MO, to Isaac and Bessie (nee Counts) Kirkley. She passed away surrounded by her family in Waterloo, IL, on January 11, 2023.

 Leota will be deeply missed by her loving family, the many friends she made during her long life, and especially her friends and loving caregivers at Oak Hill Nursing Home, where she lived the last 5+ years of her life.

 Leota was adored by her family of 5 children, their spouses, 13 grandchildren, their spouses, 22 great- grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Leota is survived by her son, Leon (Diana) Wirth; three daughters, Nancy (Gary Gene) Gilbert; Betty (Carl, Jr.) Brandenburger and Lori (Don) Dillenberger, her daughter-in-law, Donna Wirth; grandchildren, Dawn (Alan) Averso, Leon C. (Michelle) Wirth, Jason (Yurika) Wirth, Angela (Brett) Crawford, Beth (Mark) Heusohn, Gary C. (Carrie) Gilbert, Corey Wirth, Brandy (Tom) Clements, Cheri (Clinton) Mudd, Jennifer (Byron) Falkenhain, Jamie (Nick) Schlemmer, Bradley (Bryce) Dillenberger and Aimee Dillenberger; great grandchildren, Hannah (Josh) Herup, Becca Wirth, Emma (John) Herup, Olivia Wirth, Leah Wirth, Clara Wirth, Alicia Wirth, Jenna Wirth, Dustin Crawford, Dalton Crawford, Marcus Heusohn, Luke Gilbert, Ava Gilbert, Gavin Clements, Titan Clements, Cailee Mudd, Camden Mudd, Maybre Falkenhain, Landon Schlemmer, Lucy Schlemmer, Oaks Dillenberger and Shaw Dillenberger; great-great grandchildren Esther and Ezra Herup; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Royal (Shirley) Wirth, sister-in-law, Kay Kirkley; nieces and nephews and their spouses, Orville (Becky) Rahn, Jr., Joyce Kuergeleis, Allen (Brenda) Rahn, Bonnie (Glen) Meyer, John (Marikay) Kirkley, Deanna Atkins and Dale Kirkley, Robert (Susan) Wirth and Kathy (Jeff) Schnoes; Danny Hicks; great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

 Besides her parents, Leota was preceded in death by her 1st husband, Herbert C. Wirth and 2nd husband Herbert O. Roider; her son, James “Jim” Wirth; great-granddaughter, Sakura Wirth; sister, Lena Mae Rahn, brother-in-law, Orville Rahn, brother, Jess Kirkley, former sister-in-law, Lois Kirkley, sister-in-law, Jeanette Wirth, brother-in-law, Arthur Wirth, nephew-in-law, Ronnie Kuergeleis, her grandparents and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

 In her 93 years, Leota became a very strong, independent woman, especially after becoming a widow at age 41. She continued to oversee her sister-in-law, Jeanette’s care needs, through Human Support Services, the remainder of her life. Leota overcame adversity and many health issues, later in life.

 In addition to raising 5 children, Leota also worked as a bookkeeper, Secretary at Boatmen’s Bank, Zahnow Elementary School, the Chester Mental Health Office, and for the Superintendent of Schools, before finishing her career as the Office Manager at the American Lung Association. After retirement, Leota shared her knack for interior decorating with her many customers when she sold Home Interiors & Gifts for many years.

 Leota was a tremendous cook and loved to share her canned pickles and salsa with her family. She enjoyed being outdoors, especially camping, boating, gardening and watching the sporting events of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was such a loyal fan and rarely missed a game from the tee-ball level, all the way through college softball and college baseball games, in addition to, soccer, basketball, football, volleyball and cheerleading. She was a huge Cardinal’s fan and loved watching college basketball and football. Years ago, she coached her daughter’s softball team and later volunteered to coach a tee-ball team because of her love for children and sports.

 To say she was organized and had an incredible memory, is an understatement. She loved to organize things and events. She was the co-founder of the Senior Haven, where senior citizens could go for a catered meal, socializing, games, music, and dancing. Later, she continued to organize groups of seniors to gather at restaurants for lunches and play bingo. She was a big proponent of volunteering and often gave of her time at the United Church of Christ, Oak Hill Nursing Home, and Waterloo Sportsman’s Club. She proudly served on the Executive Board for Human Support Services.

 Leota was very sociable and won the hearts of many while she lived at Oak Hill Nursing Home. Her family will forever be grateful for the caregivers who made her feel loved like family. Her family also extends a special thank you to Heartland Hospice and the Oak Hill staff for their loving care and support in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to:
Human Support Services - Waterloo, Oak Hill Activity Fund, or American Lung Association

Visitation:

 4 PM to 8 PM Monday, January 16, 2023 at Quernheim Funeral Home

 8:30 AM until time of service Tuesday at St. Paul United Church of Christ

Funeral:

 10 AM Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo, IL

 Rev. Jeff McCarn officiating

 Interment at Waterloo Cemetery in Waterloo, IL