Obituary of Leona Alma Bals

**At the request of the family, please wear a mask and practice social distancing.** A Mass of Christian Burial for Leona Alma Bals will be held at 11:00 am on October 14, 2021, at Immaculate Conception Church of Old Monroe, Missouri. Father Richard Rath will officiate with burial at Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons: Stephen Bash, Matthew Bals, Jason Bals, Craig Bals, Brian D. Reller, and Kyle Bals. Leona passed away Monday afternoon, October 11, 2021 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Leona was born on November 4, 1941, in Old Monroe to Alois Carl and Hulda Louise (Horstmeyer) Bothe. She was a 1959 graduate of Winfield High School. Leona was united in marriage to Kenneth Krieg Bals on November 14, 1959, and this union was blessed with five children; Karen, Randy, David, Debbie, and Danny. Leona was a loving homemaker who enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her grandkids. She liked to travel and loved attending as many family sporting events as possible. She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Bernice Cannon, and her beloved husband of fifty-eight years, Kenny Bals. She is survived by her children: Karen Bash and her husband, Mike, of Winfield, Missouri, Randy Bals and his wife, Paula, of Old Monroe, David Bals and his wife, Julie, of Moscow Mills, Missouri, Debbie Reller and her husband, Donny, of Old Monroe and Danny Bals and his wife, Angel, of Old Monroe. Survivors also include sixteen grandchildren: Stephen Bash, Kristen Johnson, Emily Walker, Matthew Bals, Stephanie Betley, Jessica Carter, Jason Bals, Craig Bals, Mack Farris, Emma Farris, Katie Boyd, Brian D. Reller, Bethany Brodnik, Allison Reller, Kayla Bals, and Kyle Bals and 25 great-grandchildren. Leona also leaves one brother, Bob Bothe and his wife, Ava; a sister-in-law, Wilma Burkemper; a brother-in-law, Larry Bals and his wife, Carolyn; and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Building Fund or Masses in care of Carter Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 Hwy 47, PO Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.