Leone Mae Patzer, 94

Leone Mae Patzer, 94, of Coeur d’Alene passed away Nov. 20, 2024. 

Leone was born in Potlatch, Idaho, on Dec. 22, 1929, to Clifford F. Anderson and Cora Eleanor Lee. She moved with her family to Coeur d’Alene in 1936 and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1947. While in high school, she played the drums and violin and had a lifelong love of music. In her final days, she was still “conducting the band” with arms in formation while listening to music. After graduation, she attended Kinman Business School in Spokane, Wash.

She married Hubert Benjamin Patzer in April 1948, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and they had two children, David and Gloria. She was a stay-at-home mother until her children were in elementary school. She and Ben owned and managed the Hubbard Street Apartments (part of old Fort Sherman) in the Fort Grounds for many years. She went to work at North Idaho Junior College as the banquet supervisor in the new student union building. She then worked alongside her husband in the petroleum business for many years. She later decided to pursue her love of clothes and took over the New Leaf ladies clothing store in the Coeur d’Alene mall beside Baskin Robbins ice cream. She operated two stores, one in Spokane, and the one in Coeur d’Alene. Many fun hours were spent at the store after hours trying on clothes with her daughter. Those were the days!

Leone enjoyed family gatherings, Gonzaga basketball, reading, golfing, cards, games, baking pies (we miss the lemon meringue), cookies and Christmas candy like her divinity and fudge, and loud whistling up to her final days. Boy, could she whistle! Summers were spent at the float house swimming, sunning and listening to music all day.

She belonged to PEO Chapter BF, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Soroptimist Club of Coeur d’Alene, among other worthwhile organizations. She attended First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her son, David Patzer, and his wife, Jena Hayenga, grandson Mason and granddaughter Makendra in Coeur d’Alene. Daughter Gloria Weidner and Brice Shoemaker in Coeur d’Alene. Numerous nieces and nephews and a special cousin, Barbara Doll, and family in Calgary. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ben, sisters Lois Joseph and Eleanor Grannis, son-in-law Daniel Weidner and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Schulke, Violet Tadej and Lila Jaeger and numerous other family members.

Family graveside service will be 1 p.m. May 9, 2025, at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.