Leanna Lou Thornton passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 87. Leanna's family will greet friends for visitation on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at the Santiago Church. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 2 PM, at the Santiago Church in Mitchellville, IA. The funeral will be followed by her burial at the Franklin Cemetery, 8601 NE Santiago Dr., Mitchellville, IA 50035. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the Santiago Church. If you wish to send a card, please address it to, "Attn: Leanna Thornton, Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, IA 50054."

Born on March 8, 1937, in Mitchellville, Iowa, Leanna was a beacon of strength and tenacity. She graduated from high school with a diploma, and despite her modest class size of just seven students, she stood out not only academically but also athletically, notably winning the free throw championship while playing basketball at Bondurant-Farrar High School.

Leanna pursued a career in the communications industry, dedicating over 40 years to working at the phone company in various capacities. Her competitive spirit was evident in all that she did, from her professional endeavors to her passion for games, whether playing pool, card games like cribbage, or enjoying a round of golf.

From 1959 - 1966, Leanna was married to Robert Thornton Sr. Over the years, Leanna's heart grew even larger with the addition of many surviving family members, her son, John Thornton Sr., grandchildren, John Thornton Jr. (Tola) and Christina Thornton (Mike), and later with her great-grandchildren, John Thornton III and Isabel Friday, as well as various nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She held her family close, and her love for them was a defining aspect of her life.

A fan of music, Leanna found joy in listening to the smooth melodies of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, which often provided the soundtrack to her life's cherished moments.

Leanna is also survived by her siblings, Wanda Hayline, Dan (Arty) Bailey, Dean Bailey, and Sherri Carmichael. Her legacy of love, strength, and competitiveness will forever resonate in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Leanna was preceded in death by her parents, Enoch Bailey and Ruby Bailey (Comstock), her son, Robert Thornton Jr., a granddaughter, Terri Friday, and her siblings, Bernard Bailey, Elvin Bailey, Rosemary Bailey, Orville Bailey, and Richard Bailey, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.