Leora L. Jones, 98, of Grinnell, IA passed away November 21, 2023 at Newton Health Care Center.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell, IA. Burial will be at Hazelwood cemetery immediately following the memorial service.

Memorials may be designated to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Leora was born on July 24, 1925 on a farm near State Center, IA to Arthur H. and Clara Krampe Meier. She attended rural school is in Marshall and Jasper County, and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1943.

On December 28, 1942 Leora was united in marriage to Kenneth Jones in Unionville, MO. To this union, the couple had two children, Gary and Karen.

Through the years, Leora worked at Grinnell Dairy, taught school in Chester and Grant Township. She later worked for General Telephone Company and for Spurgeon Dept. Store as the book keeper for 12 ½ years. In 1976, Leora and Kenneth open a C.B. Radio and Singer Sewing Machine store and later a ceramic and craft shop with their daughter Karen. After retirement she was an Avon representative.

Leora was a member of St. John's Lutheran church and taught Sunday school in earlier years.

She loved flowers, working on crafts and ceramics, and often took her roses to friends and rest homes. She was very dedicated to her family and was always there for them, and always put her family first.

Leora is survived by her children, Pastor Gary (Judy) Jones of Newton, IA, and Karen Jones of Grinnell, IA; grandchildren, Rod Jones of Newton, IA, Rick (Rhonda) Anderson of Victor, IA, and Michelle Anderson of Ankeny, IA; great grandchildren, Nathan (Megan) Anderson of Grinnell, IA, and Landen (Miranda) Anderson of Grinnell, IA; and great-great grandchildren, Tucker, Dean, Amelia and Charlotte.

She is predeceased by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; her sister, Luella (Emmanuel) Weber; her brother, Edwin Meier; and her great-great granddaughter Eloise Anderson.