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   LEOTA HALL - CHANDLER  1912-2011 

Leota Maxine Hall was born November 22, 1912 at Reliance, SD, the daughter of Asal and Blanche (Simons) Hall. She graduated from Reliance High School in 1930. That fall she began her teaching career by passing a South Dakota state examination. She taught six years in rural South Dakota while continuing her education. She attended General Beedle College at Madison, SD in 1932 - 1933 and 1935 - 1936. Then Leota taught first grade in Harrold, SD for two years.

 Draught, dust storms and grasshoppers in South Dakota caused Leota to try for a school where green grass and trees grew. From 1938 -1940 she taught primary and first grade at Blencoe, IA. In 1940, she came to Onawa to teach first grade. There she met Glenn Chandler, who was a postal clerk in the Onawa Post Office. They were married February 21, 1942. She continued teaching in Onawa for six years. Four of these years Glenn was serving in the U.S. Army - some of the time in the Pacific area. He retumed to civilian life and his job in the Post Office in 1946.

In November, 1946, Melvin Eugene Chandler was born, followed by Linda Mae Chandler in July, 1950. Leota stayed home for 14 years to be with her children.

In 1960, Leota resumed her teaching career again at Blencoe where she taught Sixth Grade and later Second Grade for 15 years; all the time continuing her education. In 1963 she graduated from Momingside College with honors.

In 1977 Leota retired from teaching when the Blencoe School was closed.

June 16, 1982, Glenn died following a heart attack at Billings, MT. They were on a trip to visit their son, Mel who lived in The Dalles, OR.

She continued to live in their home in Onawa for nearly 70 years with twice a year trips to visit Mel Chandler in Seattle, WA and Linda Buffington in Fort Collins, CO.

  Leota was an active member of the First Christian Church of Onawa; the American Legion Auxiliary, Women's Club, Mesa Club and Volunteered at Burgess Memorial Hospital in the gift shop. After Glenn's death, she traveled to Europe, the Holy Lands and the Scandinavian Countries in addition to various trips in Canada and the United States including Hawaii.

  Survivors include a son, Melvin of Edmonds, WA; a daughter, Linda Buffington of Ft. Collins, CO; five grandchildren, Nicole and Mark Buffington and lan, Brianna and Julienne Chandler and a brother, Gordon Hall of Lochbale, CO

 Leota will be greatly missed by both family and friends.