Although Leona Jordan, of Moline, celebrated her 98th birthday last month, her young soul is dancing now that she's once again with her fun-loving husband, Bill, and her beloved sister, Tootie. She passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008.

Even in sadness, we are truly happy knowing Leona is once again surrounded by the family and friends she missed so much later in life. Those left to cherish her free-spirited memory will be celebrating her wonderful long life as well as the spunk she displayed right up to the day she left us for a never ending life of joy and happiness.

Honoring her wish to be cremated, the family is planning a memorial gathering in the Spring and when a flowering tree to thank her for all the blessings she bestowed upon each of us will be planted near the Alzheimer's wing of the new Oak Glen Home in East Moline.

Leona T. Jordan was welcomed into this world Nov. 13, 1910, by her parents, George and Minnie Kinnie. She attended Rock Island High School and was employed for many years as an optometric assistant for Dr. Myers in Rock Island. Leona fell in love with Bill Jordan long before they married on June 10, 1934, but unselfishly chose to remain at home and care for her parents until they no longer needed her assistance. She was a member of the Church of Peace in Rock Island.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann Waeyaert and her husband, Jerry, Arizona; twin sons, Don and wife, Tudy, Davenport, and Ron and wife, Judy, Coal Valley; 10 grandchildren; six great-children; and long-time "clunking around" friend, Julio Vega, Moline. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill in 1967; and sister, Tootie in 2002.

Online condolences may be made to www.schrodermortuary.com.

This is her obit that will be in the paper tomorrow morning. I thought it was beautifully wrote and I want to remember it forever and I included it in my blog. She was a good soul and a loving person to everyone.