Leone Purdum

Leone Purdum, 97, of Creston, entered into rest on Sunday, July 10, 2022. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17 at Cromwell United Church of Christ. There will be a visitation before the service, beginning at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery, Cromwell, Iowa. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center of Creston is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cromwell United Church of Christ and/or EveryStep Greater Regional Hospice Home. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com

Leone (Sammons) Purdum was born Dec. 21, 1924, daughter of Roy and Nellie (Johnson) Sammons, in Kent, Iowa. Leone attended Country School through eighth grade at Douglas #8 Township. She continued her education at Cromwell High School where she graduated in 1942. After high school graduation, she attended Creston Jr. College for one year.

Due to the war and a shortage of teachers, the county superintendent asked her to teach. She taught at Grant #2 for one year and then at Douglas #7. She later taught in Cromwell and Lorimor schools. While teaching at Lorimor School, she enjoyed coaching girls basketball. The highlight of her coaching was when the team won the County Tournament and beat her sister Shirlee’s team from Cromwell. In 1961 she was hired by Creston Community Schools. At this time, she had a two-year degree. To get her bachelor of arts degree she attended Drake University, graduating in 1967. Leone taught in Creston Schools until retiring in 1993.

Clifford Purdum and Leone were united in marriage on June 15, 1947, at the Methodist Church in Creston. They lived on their farm southwest of Creston for nearly 67 years. They loved to entertain family and friends. In fall 2014, the house was destroyed by a fire. At that time, they moved to Crest Ridge Estates where they spent their remaining years together. While living at Crest Ridge Leone loved to play games and bridge with her friends.

Leone was a member of the Cromwell United Church of Christ, Delta Kappa Gamma, Creston Area Retired School Personnel Association, Ladies Literary Circle, Bancroft Historical Assembly, Crestmoor Golf Club and Elks Club.

Leone is survived by four children: Debra Chapman (Mike) of West Des Moines, Cyndy Jeffryes (Curt) of Ankeny, Curtis Purudm of Ankeny and Tracy (Carla) Purdum of rural Norwalk. In addition, she is survived by 12 grandchildren and spouses and 19 great- grandchildren.

Leone was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Purdum; parents; brother, Keith Sammons (Norma); sister, Shirlee Sammons Kiley and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.