Funeral services for Leona Lorraine Rhiger, 89, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at East Freeborn Lutheran Church. The Rev. Matt Griggs will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Leona died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, at Thorne Crest Retirement Center.
Leona Lorraine Rhiger was born on May 18, 1919, to Ole and Amanda (Johnson) Iverson in Albert Lea. Leona was a lifetime resident of Albert Lea. She graduated from Albert Lea High School. Leona worked as a waitress at the B & B café for more than 47 years. She was a lifetime member of East Freeborn Lutheran Church and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. Leona enjoyed playing cards and particularly 500. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Clark (Crys) Hammer, Connie (Roger) Kanestadt, Julie (Gordy) Rasmussen, Jon (Pat) Rhiger, and daughter-in-law, Joni Hammer; grandchildren, Blane (Penny) Hammer and children Mason and Brock, Brett (Terri) Hammer and children Tyler and Shelby, Tami Hammer, Ryan Rasmussen, Michael Rhiger, Randy (Jennifer) Hammer and child Jamie, Nikki (Pat) Felten and children Britani and Cassie, Jason (Stephanie) Bolinger and children Josie, Ike and Jorja, Kim Hammer and children Hallie and Tawni, Cher (Scott) Anderson and children Tyler, Parker, Brooke and Cole, and Jon (Rhonda) Beck, Tavis (Tracy) Bolinger and children Taylor, Levi and Anthony, David (Heather) Beck and children Jager and Jaxon; sister, Verona (Warren) Thorson; and brother-in-law, Roger (Inge) Rhiger; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Iverson, Harriet Opdahl, Barbara Rhiger and Alice (Wendell) Lien.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Glen Hammer; son, Lowell Glen Hammer; grandson, Gregory Hammer; husband, Selmer Rhiger; brothers, Arnold, Alton and Everett Iverson; sisters, Carmen and Jewel Iverson, Eleanor Parks and Gladys Kvenvold; brothers-in-law, Donald Olson, Lawrence Parks, Kermit Kvenvold, Stanley (Abby) Rhiger, Art Rhiger and Harold Rhiger.