Leona May Auer

Leona May Auer, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2024, in St. Charles, Missouri, with her devoted husband by her side. Born on May 5, 1939, in Granite City, Illinois, Leona’s life was a testament to love, dedication, and the warmth of family.

A graduate of Granite City High School, Class of 1958, Leona was a dedicated homemaker, who went on to spend later years as a retail associate, working for several stores including K-Mart and Sears. Her work ethic, combined with her compassionate nature, made her a valued member of the teams she worked with, but it was her family that she cherished most.

Leona’s warm personality shone brightly in every aspect of her life. She was a woman who always put others first, embodying tenacity in both her personal and professional endeavors. Her greatest pride lay in her family, the roots she nurtured, and the legacy she and her husband, John Auer, built together as a couple - a true love story that was still running strong for over 66 years!

The family she adored included her three sons, John (Vickie) Auer, Jr., Scott (Darla) Auer, and Keith (Mary) Auer, whose love she carried with her always.

She reveled in the joys of motherhood and extended that love to her grandchildren: Jim (Pam), Sean, Ryan (Shelby), Brett (Brittany), Blake, Addison, Evan (Tiffany), Logan, Ashley, and Tristan Auer. Each of them held a special place in her heart, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Leona was also blessed with twelve great-grandchildren, whom she adored deeply.

Leona was not only a loving matriarch but also a supportive sister to her brothers PJ (Sharon) Tinsley and Jim (Diane) Tinsley and a dear sister-in-law to Lynda Tinsley. Her strong family bonds remained an integral part of her life until the end.

In her leisure time, Leona loved morning coffee and strawberry breakfasts on their backyard patio, while watching for butterflies and hummingbirds attracted to her flowers. Leona also looked forward to spending peaceful days boating at the lake with John, and more recently, soaking up the sun cruising in their Mustang convertible. She enjoyed visits with family and friends, always bringing laughter and joy to every gathering. These were all very cherished memories. Her remarkable ability to connect with those she loved will be profoundly missed.

Leona is preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Alberta Tinsley, and her brothers, Irvin (JoAnn) and Paul Tinsley, along with sister-in-law Sandra Tinsley. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Leona’s beautiful life at a Memorial Gathering and Service to be held on November 18, 2024, at Newcomer Funeral Home in St. Peters, Missouri. These gatherings will allow all those who knew and loved Leona to honor her memory and reflect on the countless lives she touched. 

Leona's service will be live streamed at the scheduled date and time. Please view the service in the window below. 

As we remember Leona May Auer, we carry forward her spirit of love, devotion, and the strong family values she held dear. Her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in honor of Leona.