Leardis was born in Overland, Kansas. Her biological parents were Dale and Carrie Velma Post. She was raised by Dale and her loving step mother Dorothy. Leardis had 4 siblings: Barbara and Earlene, who have passed, and two brothers William and Leroy. Leardis was blessed with four daughters: Kay Trowbridge Mitch, Doreen Llyod, Veronica Sears, and Nancy Trowbridge. From her four biological children she had 6 grandchildren: Adam, Alexandra, Autumn, Clifford, McKenzie, and Zackery. Earlier in life, Leardis met the girl's father Harold Kindig. She later met her husband David Throwbridge, who raised the girls with Leardis. She married Lynn Koellermeier in 2000 and spent her final chapters in the book of life with him. After marrying Lynn she became a step mother of four adults: John Koellermeier, Edward Koellermeier, Katherine Franklin and Athena Dalton, and gained seven additional grandchildren: Victoria, Selene, Theodore, William, Michael, Patrick, and Steven.
She talked about the children and grandchildren often; and loved spending time with family and friends. The most common things that comes to the minds of others when they think about Leardis are the necessity to always have stockings for the kids at Christmas no matter how old they were, her crafting projects (such as cross stitching and quilting), her love for music of all kinds, her enjoyment of putting together a simple puzzle, her love for classic cars, and the times they spent with her at events. She loved going to Michaels, going to classic car shows, going shopping for sales, and going out to eat. Leardis enjoyed simple pleasures in life. That may be secondary to growing up as a farm girl in Kansas having to get up at 4 or 5 am and tending to things on the farm.
While life has its ups and downs, Lee, as many of us know her, tried to make the best of it. She would keep pressing forward with a smile on her face and if something went wrong her response was, "Oh well" and she would shake it off. She had many careers in her life. She worked on the farm growing up, worked in a radio station, worked in retail, and she worked as a waitress. She often would comment that the waitressing job was her favorite because of all the people she would meet and get to talk to. She used to love to talk and socialize in her earlier years.
Leardis is talking to all of us today with her pictures, music, and with the legacy of the family that remains here. Leardis wants us to celebrate her life and try not to be sad as she has moved on to a better place. Imagine her cruising around in a classic car, with a smile on her face, and listening to one of her favorite songs. She did touch many peoples lives in one way or another and made a difference. Remember she is smiling, happy, and no longer suffering in any way. We must give thanks and be truly grateful for the time we had with her. She is now filled with joy, happiness, and peace.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at The Springs at Wilsonville. After the service will be a reception.
Following will be a procession at Wilsonville Funeral Home at 1:00 PM to Mountain View Cemetery for a graveside service at 1:30 PM.