In Memory
LEOLA E. "LEE" KINSON
Leola Lee Kinson Aug. 26, 1935 - Nov. 11, 2015 EDWARDSBURG - Leola "Lee" Ellen Kinson, 80, of Edwardsburg, Michigan, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, in her home. Lee was born August 26, 1935, in Michigan City, Indiana, to the late Norman C. and Virginia C. (Peck) Ahlgrim.
Lee graduated from Washington High School in South Bend in 1952, and attended nursing school in Gary, IN.
She was married in 1954 to Richard "Dick" L. Schutt, and had two children, Sherry and Jim. In 1977, Lee married David E. Kinson, with whom she spent 38 wonderful years. Lee worked at Carleton Financial in South Bend for many years as a proof reader. Lee was preceded in death by her loving husband, David, in May of 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Beth Hammond Reed.
She is survived by her sister, Janice McKenzie; and brother, Norman Ahlgrim, Jr.; daughter, Sherry (Bill) Holleman; son, Jim (Margo) Schutt; and three stepchildren, Fran (Hazy) Scholl, David Ross Kinson and Kathy (Dick) Doughty. Lee is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Amber (Chas) Grundy, Heather (Kate) Holleman, Nicole Holleman, Emily Fry-Schutt, Charley Fry-Schutt, Eric (Laura) Scholl, Clay Kinson, Neil Doughty, and Charlotte Doughty; and 3 great-grandchildren, Avery Grundy, Elyse Grundy, and Lincoln Willms.
Lee served as a Girl Scout Leader, and was known by all as "Iris." She was a member and former President of the Four Arts Club of Elkhart, IN, and member of the Edwards-burg Lioness Club, Order of the Eastern Star, and Eagle Lake Association. She volunteered at Elkhart General Hospital for over 25 years, and also volunteered at the former Rosewood Terrace Nursing Home in Elkhart. She served as a juvenile probation volunteer in Elkhart County. She and David loved to dance, and were members of the 100 Club in South Bend. They also were members of the First United Methodist Church in South Bend and active in several Bible study groups. Lee and David loved to travel together, and took many trips over the years. They toured Europe, China, Russia, the Caribbean, and Hawaii, just to name a few
Lee was an excellent cook, loved to sew and do puzzles, and play cards and games. She was a Scrabble expert, and enjoyed Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage, Euchre, Hearts, and many other board and card games. Lee's greatest joy and passion was spending time with family. She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and other family members at Eagle Lake. Lee liked nothing better than to spend the day watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren swim, tube, ski, and play at the lake. Lee never met a stranger, and everyone she met became a friend within moments. She was grandmother to all the neighborhood children, and was beloved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by countless family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 20th, at 2 pm at Welsheimer Funeral Home North at 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where friends may visit with the family one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Edwardsburg Lioness Club, c/o Lori Bowers, State Farm, PO Box 623, Edwardsburg, MI 49112; or to any charity that supports youth. E-mail condolences may be made at www.welsheimer.com.
Published by South Bend Tribune on Nov. 15, 2015.
04/25/2023 EJS
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