Obituary of Anne Marie McNeer

Anne Marie (Leo) McNeer, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Angela (Talerico) Leo, was born August 26, 1928 in Des Moines, Iowa. She had attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School and St. Joseph’s Academy.

On June 24, 1961, Anne was united in marriage with James Francis McNeer at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa.  Anne had a life-long devotion to Mother Mary.  She was a member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, the Rosary Society, the Red Hat and the Purple Dress Society.  She was a dedicated mother and homemaker.  She had worked for a time at Traveler’s Insurance, the Newton Motor Inn, Palma’s Steakhouse and in the kitchen at B.C. Berg School.  Anne enjoyed cooking and baking, singing, whistling, laughing, reading and working the puzzles in the newspaper.  She was most certainly a people person, who enjoyed time spent with friends, family and extended family. Family was everything to Anne! Anne will be remembered by always having a smile on her face and always being a happy, cheerful person.  She had a heart filled with unending gratitude and always loved a good adventure even in her 90’s!  She enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, and most of the states in the US.

Anne died peacefully on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at EveryStep Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 92 years old. Anne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; and her siblings and their spouses, Catherine “Kay” Leo, Frances (Dominic) Funaro, Rose (Alphonse) Bisignano, Carmela (Fred) Chiovaro, Chuck (Florence) Leo, Pete (Mimi) Leo and Joseph “Junior” Leo.

Those left to honor Anne’s memory include her daughter, Karen Wilson and her son, Jim McNeer; her grandson, Aaron (Karey) Wilson; her step great grandchildren, Logan and Nevaeh; and her many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 18, 2021 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton.  Social distancing will be practiced, and masks are required.  A Facebook Live Broadcast of the service will begin at 11:00 a.m.  The family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church.  Memorials may be designated to the Newton Salvation Army or to Hope Ministries and may be left at the church or at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home.