Leona H. Carpenter, 96, of Owatonna, died Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Sterling House where she resided for the past four years. Leona Henrietta Maurer was born April 23, 1915 in Owatonna, Minnesota the daughter of John and Martha (Kleeman) Maurer. She was confirmed in the Christian faith at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church located on State Avenue. Leona attended Lincoln Grade School and graduated from Owatonna High School with honors in 1932. On June 20, 1940 Leona married Asa Carpenter at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. In her younger years she worked at Federated Insurance Company. She taught Sunday school many years, and was active in Redeemer Bethany Club, Christian Women, Owatonna Womens Club, Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary charter member, and Steele County Historical Society. Asa and Leona owned the Carpenter Tax Service. Together they prepared income taxes for many years. She was active in planning the Class of 1932 annual reunions until 2007. Leona is surived by her three children, Carol Carpenter of Owatonna, Ralph (and Sandra) Carpenter of Owatonna, Alice (and Tim) Nelson of Rochester; three grandchildren, David Carpenter of Berlin, Germany, Melissa (and Brian) Semira of Chanhassen, and James (and Mary) Carpenter of St. Cloud; three great grandchildren, Riley and Brodie Semira, and Reid Carpenter. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Asa James Carpenter, daughter, Mary Jane Carpenter Caron, and brother, Robert Maurer. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Leona's care givers over the past several years. Their friendships meant so much to her. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM . Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with The Reverend Mark Rosenau officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Owatonna Area Hospice. Visitation: 09/13/2011 17:00 09/13/2011 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 09/14/2011 10:30