Leona Friesenborg

Leona A. Friesenborg, 95, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, June 10, 2022.

She was born Jan. 19, 1927, in Gothenburg, Nebraska, to John W. and Rosa T. Block. She and Gaylan Friesenborg began their courtship at Gothenburg High School at the age of 15. After graduation, Leona worked at the local bank while Gaylan served in the Army and, upon his return, they were married at her parents' home on May 18, 1947. For 20 years, they worked together managing the family business, Friesenborg and Son, until deciding to step out in faith and enter church work.

While Gaylan served as a church business administrator in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Dayton, Ohio, Leona volunteered in various capacities at church while raising their two children. Leona and Gaylan then co-managed a retirement home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before retiring to Estes Park, Colorado, for 19 years, followed by Cape Girardeau for the past 14 years.

During retirement, Leona and Gaylan traveled the world, serving together at missions in San Francisco, California; Florence, Arizona, and Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. They volunteered at the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church USA in Louisville, Kentucky. They also enjoyed leading mission trips and work camps to many locations around the world. Wherever they went, they shared a special love of music, Leona playing the piano and often accompanying Gaylan in their younger years.

The greatest joy of her life was her family. Leona has one son, Terry (Dee) Friesenborg of Kettering, Ohio, and one daughter, Trudy (Terry) Lee of Cape Girardeau. She was much loved by her grandchildren, Aaron (Jen) Friesenborg, Molly Friesenborg (Nic Subtirelu), Cody (Gordon) Friesenborg Lee, Erik (Nicole) Lee and Bryndon Lee (Chris Scudder); and seven great-grandchildren, Heather, Samantha, Ana, Briana, Eliot, Maggie and Zoe.

She was predeceased by her husband and love of her life, Gaylan Friesenborg. Her family rejoices that they are together again and will gather to celebrate her life at a future date.

To carry on their legacy, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to either Southeast Missouri University Foundation, One University Plaza MS7300, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701, to be added to the Gaylan and Leona Friesenborg Endowed Scholarship, or to Donaldina Cameron House, 920 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA, 94108, to further its work in Chinatown.

Arrangements are being handled by Ford and Sons Funeral Home--Mount Auburn.