Leona Faye Korenwinder

Born on November 11, 1936, Leona Faye (Freeman) Korenwinder went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 8, 2023, just three days shy of her 87th birthday. During the last two weeks of her life, she was able to be in her own home, and was constantly surrounded by her entire family every day. She also appreciated and was very humbled by the numerous friends and extended family that came to see her. At the time of her passing, she had her boys and their wives at her side. Leona was the ninth child in a family of ten, born in Mayfield, Kansas, to her parents Lewellyn and Leona Belle Freeman. Leona was named after her mother which always made her feel special. She was predeceased by her parents as well as by her 6 sisters (Mildred, Dorothy, Ruby, Margie, Phyllis and LouAnn) and her 2 brothers (Vernon and Donald). She is survived by one sister, Lorene Porter of Tulare. Leona was married to John M. Korenwinder on April 16, 1960. They had two sons, Michael A. Korenwinder and Tyrone M. Korenwinder. John passed from this life much too soon leaving Leona and the boys on July 29, 1976. Because he was the true love of her life, and she decided no one else was good enough for her boys, she never remarried. Leona graduated from Palo Verde Elementary School in 1950 and Tulare Union High School in 1954. She also attended many classes through the mail and attended classes with the Institute of Financial Education in which she graduated with honors. She was first employed as a teller-bookkeeper for Guarantee Savings and Loan Association of Tulare which was located on the corner of Tulare Ave. and M Street. She worked in the same building for 47 years although the name would have many changes such as Midstate, Midland, Imperial Savings, and finally Bank of the West. She retired from Bank of the West in 2000 serving as Vice President and Branch Manager. When a mural was painted on the west side of the building, it was dedicated to her for her 47 years of service to the community. There is a plaque on the mural which depicts this honor. Upon retirement from the bank, Leona worked part time as a bookkeeper for Rib-Arrow Dairy. She worked there until the onset of her illness earlier this year. The entire Ribeiro family became like family to her. Leona was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ having attended the First Southern Baptist Church, and then Tulare First Baptist church since the early 1980's until her passing. She taught Bible classes for children and adults in her special ministries along with a special heart for Single Adults in her later years. Over the years, she served on financial committees, building committees, pastoral search committees and served as a board member in both of the churches. She also enjoyed singing in the church choirs. Leona was known in Tulare through her involvement with many different organizations. She believed that if you had a membership in a group, you needed to be dedicated to service. Her longest standing membership was with Soroptimist International of Tulare. She held many different positions over the years, and in fact was recently honored for her 50 years of service. She also was involved with the Tulare Hospital Foundation, the Tulare Chamber of Commerce where she was also the first woman President in 1985-1986, the Tulare Business Association, the Tulare Industrial Site Development Corporation, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Tulare Republican Women, and the Miss Tulare Pageant. She was Tulare Woman of the Year in 1982 as well as Tulare Business Woman of the Year also in 1982. For many years, she also volunteered for the World Agricultural Expo. She was also a Scout Mother with the Boy Scouts of America, a Tulare Redskin Band Booster, and she served as Grand Marshall of the Tulare County Fair Parade in 1985. Above all, Leona had a great love for and was totally devoted to her family which far surpassed any other area in her life. She is survived by her two sons which were her pride and joy; Mike Korenwinder and his wife Dena, along with Ty Korenwinder and his wife Kim, all of Tulare. She also is survived by four grandchildren; Hayley Vieira and her husband Jonathan, Morgan Parriera and her husband Luke all of Tulare. Mallory Cherry and her husband Ryan of Santa Paula, CA, and Dax Korenwinder of Phoenix, AZ. She also leaves behind 6 great-grandchildren; Jett, Crew, and Harper Vieira, and Luke, Sadie and Vaughn Zachary Parriera all of Tulare. Per Leona's request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the Tulare First Baptist Church Building for Life Campaign. Donations in her memory can be mailed or dropped off at the Church office which is located at 469 Cherry St, Tulare, CA 93274. Leona's family would like to thank all of her family and friends from both the church and the community who have been so supportive throughout the last few months. The help with rides to her treatments, cards, flowers, and meals have been so appreciated. We would also like to thank Becky Winters, Bianca Rivera, Sharon Booker, and American Care Hospice for helping take such good care of her and supporting all of the family in Leona's final days. Your love and compassion for her will never be forgotten. Viewing will be held 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at Tulare First Baptist Church, 469 N Cherry St, Tulare. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at Tulare Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Ave., Tulare. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Leona Faye Korenwinder

November 11, 1936 - November 8, 2023