Leona Lair (Rinard) Bickle

Leona Lair Bickle, 85, of Newton died on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at her home.  A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, July 28, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. A graveside service at Eden Cemetery in Rhodes will follow the visitation. Memorials to the Donor’s Choice may be left at the funeral home or the graveside.

Leona, the daughter of Wesley and Vallie (Hoy) Rinard, was born on September 9, 1940, in Iowa City. Her family lived in Rhodes and Newton before making their home in Colfax where Leona would graduate high school in 1959. She then graduated from American University of Beauty in 1960.  Leona worked as a Beautician in Des Moines before being united in marriage with Herman Bickle on June 18, 1961, at the Christian Church in Colfax. She then became a homemaker.  Herman and Leona made their home in Newton, where Leona enjoyed working during the Christmas season at the Maytag Dairy Farm.

Leona had many interests and hobbies including mushroom hunting, gardening and canning her harvests, flowers and crafts of all kinds.  She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, tatting, quilting, and making teddy bears and rabbits.  Her quilting skills were honored by receiving Best of Show twice at the Iowa State Fair; first in 1982 with her State Seal quilt and again in 1987, with her Rose Bud quilt.   She also loved collecting garden gnomes for her flower beds.

Leona is survived by her son, Rickie Bickle of Newton and close friend (like a daughter), Lisa Fox and her husband, Kevin, their children, Cory and Emily, and their families.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herman in 2000; and siblings, Leon Rinard, Fonda Tribby, and Harold Rinard.

A special thanks to Kevin and Lisa Fox, Cheryl Shannon, and Rickie’s MercyOne Work Family.

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