Leona F. Amberson
BEAVER DAM/FALL RIVER/COLUMBUS—Leona F. Amberson age 103, passed away on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at UW-Hospital, Madison. She was born on April 28, 1909 in Fall River to John and Blanche (Brossard) Huggett.
Leona grew up farming in the area, working a horse and mower at age 12. She graduated from Columbia County Teachers College in 1928. She taught for 12 years in several one room schools (8 grades in one room) located in the Fountain Prairie, Arlington, Randolph and Otsego areas. Leona’s heart was finally captured and she was married to Nelvin Amberson December 28, 1940 at St.Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam. They became long-time residents there. Leona was involved in giving service to others her entire life. She loved agriculture and made many friends of all ages over the years selling home grown poultry, fruits and vegetables. Leona returned to teaching in 1961 as a first grade teacher at St. Stephen’s School until her retirement. She later moved back to the family farm in Fall River where she continued to sell strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. She was blessed with a keen mind, an amazing memory and a firm resolve all packaged together in a soft spoken countenance. Leona was dubbed by many as our own “energizer bunny”. Indeed, to the delight of her family, she was driving her riding lawn mower and supervising the planting of the farm garden the day before her passing.
Adored by her family, and admired by many, she will be greatly missed. Leona’s survivors include her son, Eugene (Thelma) Amberson of Columbus; four grandchildren: Rebecca (Bret) Williams and their children Madison, Morgan and Marren of Meridian, ID, Matthew (Bethany) Amberson and their children Kennedy, Kaitlyn, Jake and Max, of Orange Park, FL , Kari (Paul) Osterhaus and their children Maggie, Sam, Zack and Grant of Mt Horeb, WI and Paul (Abby) Amberson of Strafford, PA; Sister-in-law Ruth Lewandowski, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1987; infant daughter, Louise Ellen Amberson; three brothers, Chester, William and Robert Huggett; three sisters, Florence Hollnagel, Dorothy Hein and Margaret Huggett.
A special thank you to nephew Richard and his wife Lucinda Hein and their helping hands over many years.
Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday May 29, 2012 at ST. STEPHEN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH in Beaver Dam. Pastor Philip Heyer will officiate. Interment will be in the Leipsig Cemetery.
