May 14, 1920 – May 4, 2021
Leona Iseli passed away peacefully on May 4th just 10 days before her 101st birthday and we rejoice that she has gone to be with her Lord and Saviour.
Leona was born on May 14, 1920 in Southey, Saskatchewan to Ben and Minnie Pekrul. She lived her early years on the family farm. She committed herself to the Lord Jesus when she was 10 years old. Determined to get off the farm at age 16 years she moved to Edmonton, Alberta to live with relatives. During this time, she heard Reverend Blackett promoting the Canadian Bible Institute in Regina, Saskatchewan. Leona feeling committed to the Lord, at age 17, decided to move to Regina to attend to her studies of the Gospel. Her sister Alice remembers that when she came home to the farm, she was so excited and wanted to share all the things she had learnt about the Bible and her understanding of the Word with her sisters.
During her elementary school years Leona loved music and had the ability to play the piano by ear. She continued her love of the piano throughout her lifetime. She was often asked to play for churches, musical groups, women, seniors and in her later years for the Chinese Church (Fountain Alliance). While playing piano at a Thanksgiving Church Rally in Regina, Saskatchewan she met her future husband Henry Iseli who was performing in a male quartet. The theme of the evening was “Count Your Many Blessings” which is something that they ended up doing as husband and wife for over 70 years after their marriage in Swan River, Manitoba on May 16th, 1942.
Shortly after their marriage, being the time of the Second World War, Henry was called to serve his country and he did so by joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. His training was as a wireless operator and as husband and wife they travelled to Montreal, Quebec. By the time the war ended on Henry’s Birthday, August 14, 1945, his final posting was in Tofino, BC. During her time in Tofino, Leona felt the calling to do ministry so she setup a Sunday school. After the war they moved to Winnipeg, where Henry enrolled in medical training at the University of Manitoba where he earned a Doctorate Degree in 1950. During this time, they became active at Grant Memorial Baptist Church. While Henry was doing his studies, Leona started work at the T. Eaton Department Store. She continued with Eaton’s in Vancouver when they moved here on completion of Henry’s Studies. Doctor Henry Iseli did his internship at the Vancouver General Hospital and setup a successful family practice which he faithfully carried out for some 35 years.
As a married couple Leona and Henry purchased a lovely home on Athlone street in the early 1950’s which they resided in for 54 years. Leona and Henry were unable to have children. They were gracious hosts and entertained both family, friends, visiting ministry, missionaries and persons that needed a temporary home. Their inability to have children was a gift to their nieces, nephews, neighbours, pastoral, and missionary children who often came to live in their home. Both Leona and Henry were regarded as special parents/grandparents to so many children. Many referred to them as their second Mom and Dad.
Leona and Henry were dedicated to God. They were faithful to the churches they attended; first at Tenth Avenue Alliance in Vancouver and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church where they both were involved in Music Ministry for 30 years; Henry as Choir and Music Director. In addition to Music Ministry, Leona was involved in hosting bible studies, women’s work, support of the Union Gospel Mission and attending women’s conferences at Lake Retreat near Seattle, The Firs - Bellingham, Washington, and Mount Herman in California. In the 1980’s Leona flew down to Las Vegas to assist her brother who was a Minister at First Baptist with the Billy Graham Crusade. In the later years, the Iseli’s attended Broadway Church and finally returned to their Baptist roots at Trinity Baptist Church where Leona enjoyed weekly attendance at worship and the monthly women’s Phillips Group.
Leona and Henry loved to travel both in Canada, the United States and Europe. In the early 1960’s Leona became a businesswoman setting up “Deluxe Costume and Formal Wear” on Kingsway in Vancouver. The business catered to specialty costumes, bridal and formal wear which continued into the 70’s. During Henry’s final years of medical practice Leona became his receptionist organizing the affairs and appointments in the office.
After Henry’s health deteriorated and he had to be moved into care at St. Vincent's: Brock Fahrni; Leona decided to sell the house on Athlone Street and move to Shannon Oaks, an Assisted Living Facility run by Baptist Housing. She continued there for 10 years until she had to be moved due to her additional health needs. The move was devastating to her as she had developed so many friends and she wished to stay there for her remaining years. Unfortunately, during the Covid-19 lock down her mobility became an issue. In August of 2020 she made her final move to Sunrise Seniors Care where she stayed up to the time of her death.
Leona was a true servant of God. She was a continual witness to the Lord and shared her faith with family, friends, and strangers. Aunt Leona in her calling was determined that no family, friend, or person would be left behind at the time of the return of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. At the end of her life, she was ready to go home. Many are sad as we remember the wonderful times we spent with Leona and Henry. We miss the fellowship and the special moments that we spent together with her and Uncle Henry. We rejoice that she has gone home to be with her Lord and Saviour and look forward to the time when she will greet us with Jesus.
We are fortunate to have had you as part of our lives- God Bless!
Leona was predeceased by her husband Henry Iseli in November 2012 as well as 8 siblings: Ethel, Mabel, Dorothy, Lorna Iseli, Ralph, Gerald Bindert, Florence Taylor, and Melvin. Survived by her sister Alice Tkatschow, three sisters in laws: Diane Bindert, Ella Sonnenberg and Rose Iseli, as well as many loving nephews and nieces.
Graveside service at Oceanview Cemetery, Burnaby BC on Friday, May 21 @10.00 AM. Attendance by RSVP to [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Leona’s Memory to the Union Gospel Mission Vancouver.
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To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit our website at www.dignitymemorial.com
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