CHERRYVALE — Leona B. Bernd, 100, Cherryvale, died Friday, July 30, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Independence.

She was born Dec. 23, 1909, in Tipton to John Baptist and Katherine Regina (Hake) Stiechen. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1927. She was a PBX operator in the Jayhawk Hotel in Topeka for some time.

She married Lawrence “Bud” Henry Bernd on Feb. 11, 1939, in Tipton. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include six children, Eleanor Gilstrap, Jane Trollope, Evelyn Ellison, David Bernd, all of Cherryvale, Barbara Zorn of Wichita and Edward Bernd of Dennis; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Al Steichen of Salina.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and twin children, Mary and Lawrence Bernd.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Monday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cherryvale. Burial was in the church cemetery. Potts Chapel of Cherryvale was in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests memorials to Tipton School or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.