Leota Darlene (Naslund) Rendleman (1928-2023)

Leota passed away peacefully on February 7, 2023 after several months illness from cancer.
She had lived in Carthage, IL, since 1959 until isolation from the pandemic necessitated her relocation to Springfield, IL, in 2020.

Leota was born at home on the farm outside Victoria, IL, on April 8, 1928—Easter Sunday—to Ella (Lapham) and Fred Naslund. She was the youngest of five. Her parents and siblings, Frank, Addie, Kenneth, and Howard have all predeceased her.

She married Raymond N. Rendleman, who passed away in 2009, in 1951. After Raymond retired from decades as the Hancock County Cooperative Extension Farm Adviser, together they operated Rendleman Soil Testing and Crop Consulting for many years.

Leota graduated from Victoria (now R.O.W.V.A.) High School and from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She taught high school home economics in Media, Carrolton, and Salem, IL, before becoming a full-time homemaker and mother.

She is survived by her three children: Dennis (Barbara Shelow) Rendleman of Springfield; Linda Rendleman of Springfield; and Barbara (Donald Rodd) Rendleman of Evansville, IN.
Five grandchildren: Jessica (David) Gillespie of New Lenox, IL; Katherine (Max) Ostrowski of Warrenville, IL; Christina (John Roegge) Rendleman of Candler, N.C.; Alexander Rodd of Indianapolis, IN; and Olivia Rodd of Evansville, IN.

Four greatgrandchildren: Anna Grace and William Alan Gillespie, New Lenox, IL, and Patrick Adam and Amelia Marie Ostrowski, Warrenville, IL.

Leota is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great-greatgrandchildren.

Leota was a long-time, active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage and served on a number of Church and Synod committees as well as participating in regular Bible study groups, teaching Sunday School, and fellowship groups. She was an active member in the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter J as well as local home economics and community activities.

A loving and gentle Mom, Grandma, Gi-Gi, and friend, she shared her beautiful spirit and kindness with everyone she
met. Leota made the world a better, more caring place.

A private celebration of life will be held. Memorials may be made to the Leota and Raymond Rendleman Charitable

Emergency Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage, IL 62321.