Leona Kaye Hoover

Leona Kaye (Tordoff) Hoover, 75, of Eldora, passed away on December 1, 2022 suddenly at her home.

A visitation will be held from 10:00am to 12:00pm on December 14, 2022 with a service to follow at Creps-Abels Funeral in Eldora, Iowa.  A graveside service and burial will be after the service at Eastlawns Cemetery, also in Eldora. The family would like to invite everyone to join in a Celebration of Life on Saturday December 17, 2022, from 11:00 to 3:00pm at Dorothy’s Senior Center in Eldora, Iowa. 

Leona, who was lovingly known as Lee to her friends and Nonnie to her 14 grandchildren. She was born April 30, 1947, to Edward and Winona (Vieman) Tordoff at the “old” hospital in Eldora.  She was the oldest of the four children, Debby, Ed and Ron, and grew up in the Eldora/Iowa Falls area.  She graduated from Eldora high school in 1965 and married Charles Stanfield Sr. During their marriage, they moved to the Marshalltown area and welcome two rambunctious boys, Charlie and Tim.  After their divorce, Leona started working as a secretary for Maulsbe Electric, in Marshalltown.  She was the unofficial office manager and did everything from dispatching and scheduling to supply orders and bookkeeping for the electricians.  She always knew when a new hire was sent back to the office to get a “post hole or spare amps”, they wouldn’t be there much longer. 

She met the love of her life, Mark, when her brother, Ed, knew a guy with a truck to help her move to a different apartment.  During this move, all the extra help was too helpful, and they had to move the stove and refrigerator back into the apartment.  Mark and Lee later united in marriage on October 30, 1979, in South Carolina. Lee and the boys then started a new chapter of life as a military wife and family, by moving across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. They would do day trips all over the island which would usually end up with eating ice cream in an air-conditioned car so the ice cream wouldn’t melt. Lee greatly enjoyed their time in Hawaii and never forgot their adventures on the island. She was able to return to Hawaii in 2021, with Mark, Tim, Jenette, and Malia, to reminisce in all the memories of the adventures so many years ago.  Lee was excited to share these experiences with her daughter, Malia, who grew up hearing about their adventures. In 1983 they moved back to Eldora and in 1984 welcomed a daughter, Malia, into the world. 

Lee worked for Eldora-New Providence Schools as a cook and remote radio dispatcher for many years.

Lee loved spending time with her grandchildren. During one of these visits, she was blessed with the nickname “Nonnie” and it stuck. As the years went on, if you needed her attention and she wasn’t answering by “Mom” or “Lee” all you had to do was say Nonnie and you would have her full attention.

Lee was the one to keep everyone informed what was going on with the family or just everyday activities.  She enjoyed talking about her grandchildren the most.  It was not unlike her to send a text with what was going on that day or a random emoji.  Lots of emojis!  Her texts were usually short and sweet, sometimes too short and you had to follow up with a phone call to decipher the message.  I am 100% positive she did it on purpose so you would call her.

Lee was always up for a family and friends get together.  Whether it being a weekend of camping, going out to eat, or a day of playing the card game golf or UNO flip.  She enjoyed the fellowship, making memories and talking about those memories.

Mom, save us a seat under the old willow tree, watching the full moon, until we can meet again.

Left to cherish Leona’s memory are his loving husband, Mark Hoover, of Eldora, Iowa; three children, Charlie (Jamie) Stanfield of Hubbard, Iowa, Tim (Jenette) Stanfield of Waverly, Iowa and Malia (Josh) Harris of Eldora, Iowa; a sister, Debby VanHulle of Omaha Nebraska; a brother Ron (B.J) Tordoff of Wellsburg, Iowa; 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Leona was preceded in death by: her parents, Edward Sr. and Winona (Vieman) Tordoff; brother Edward Tordoff Jr., brother-in-law, Ken VanHulle; sister-in-law Marilyn Tordoff; and ex-husband, Charles Stanfield Sr.