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Services: 11:30am Wednesday August 18, 2004 at Central Christian
Church, Jefferson, IA.
Margaret Mae Leeka was born in the rural area of Bristol Township, Greene County, Iowa on April 15, 1927. She was the 7th child born to Allen Bert McCollum and Bertha Decker McCollum. Margaret’s mother died when Margaret was only 3 months old. Margaret started school in the early 1930’s at the Jackson Township #8 school where she was known as Marggie McCollum. Vemia Davis was her first teacher. Margaret married (Buddie) Carl Mentzer on April 24, 1943. There were 10 children born in the marriage. Buddie and Margaret were divorced. She married Charles Leeka in 1960. They lived in and around the Greene County area and finally at 207 South Oak in Jefferson. Charles passed away in 1985. Margaret provided child care in her home for many, many children. She was known as Grandma Leeka by all. Margaret moved to Adams Court Apartment 13 in 1990. She passed away August 15, 2004 at the Greene County Medical Center. She was 77 years of age. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Charles, an infant daughter, Sharon Kay; a brother, Don; and sisters Hazel, Louise, and Gladys. Survivors include four daughters Marjorie Rice and Carl Barker of West Des Moines; Janice Runyon and Fred Robbins of Jefferson; Peggy Cunningham and husband Eldon of Jefferson; Linda and husband Pat Hurley of Jefferson; 6 sons: John and Beverly Mentzer of Churdan, IA; Jerry and Mary Jo Mentzer of Boone, IA; George and Jacqui Mentzer of Jefferson; Mike and Terry Mentzer of Gowrie, IA; Donald and Pam Mentzer of Jefferson, IA and William (Bud) and Donna Mentzer of Newport News, Virginia; a foster son, Billy Phend; 2 brothers: Bert McCollum, Jr. of Jefferson, and Eugene McCollum of Manning, IA; 42 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. |
