Christine Naomi Leonard

Christine “Chris” (Hilderbrand) Leonard, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 78 on August 18, 2023, at St. Clair Hospital in Fenton, Missouri. A beloved wife and mother, she is survived by her husband of 25 years, George Leonard.

also surviving are her daughter Shawna Buresh-Flanders, her daughter Karla Keegan, and her son, Robert Hildebrand, as well as her two children of the heart, Jennifer Leonard DeClue and Nathan Leonard, as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Chris was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on June 22, 1945.

Chris’s life was empowered by her love of family, her faith in God, gardening, and her beloved dog Ferdie. She wasn’t a materialistic person, given the opportunity, she showed her love to family and friends by doing what she could for everyone. She was a loving mother and wife.

Chris took pride in everything she did in life, as a mother, as a wife, at her job, all of it was done with loving detail. She was an avid decorator on holidays, enjoyed celebrating traditions with her loved ones, and was always looking forward to her spring and summer gardens—sometimes planning them years in advance.

She could be found walking her flower beds every season, be it looking for the first hint of spring bulbs, the first bud on her favorite iris, the first leaves to change color, or the first snowfall, always excited and ready to repeat the cycle of the seasons again.

Preceding her in death were her brothers Eddie, John, and Steve Simon.