Ida Mary Leistner

Ida Mary Leistner (Lundsten, Niemeyer) was born on June 12, 1930, to John Everett and Ida Mae Lundsten (Carnes) in St. Paul Minnesota. She had two younger brothers, John Everett Lundsten (Mary Jo) and David Warren Lundsten (Myrel), both deceased. She lived on a farm in Waconia, Minnesota that was homesteaded by her great-grandparents from Sweden. After high school graduation, she attended St. Clouds Teacher College and later went to Bethel College and Seminary where she met Johannes (John) Niemeyer. They were married on August 20, 1954, and went on to have five children, John Peter, Mark Harm, Elizabeth Joy ("Betsy"), Mary Johanna, and Susan Grace.

They spent five years in Japan as missionaries and served many churches in North Dakota; Boston, Massachusetts; and Omaha, Nebraska. She would share her gifts of piano, teaching Sunday school and working with international families throughout her years and spent over 20 years leading a sing-along ministry at Maple Crest Nursing Home in Omaha, Nebraska.

On February 6, 1971, her husband John passed away of cancer leaving her a widow with 5 young children. God lovingly provided another man, Joseph (Joe) Oscar Leistner, to be her husband of the next 32 years of her life. They were married on July 2, 1971, and bought a new house to raise their family. They went on many travels together, including trips to Israel, Egypt, Italy, Puerto Rico and many trips around the US, Canada, and Alaska. Joe passed away on November 14, 2003, making her a widow again.

Ida Mary lived in her home for 52 years and was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 14 Great grandchildren. She enjoyed listening to birds in her backyard and she was a wonderful cook and baker, always making sure that everyone had enough to eat. She was put on hospice and died peacefully in her sleep in the presence of her three daughters in her own home on July 19, 2023. She is now in her new eternal home in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A visitation for Ida Mary will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM.

Ida Mary will be laid to rest in Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park, 5701 Center Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westlawnhillcrest.com for the Leistner family.