Rapid City - Leola M. Waeckerle, 89, died Thursday, January 3, 2012 at the Golden Living Center-Black Hills in Rapid City. Leola Mary Quinn was born April 17, 1923 at Bucklin, Missouri to Amasa Thomas and Mary Ora [Petski] Quinn. Leola attended Catholic school in Chicago. In support of the war effort, she went to work in a munitions plant in Grande Island, NE. She met Leo Vincent Waeckerle, who was stationed at Grande Island, in the Army Air Corps. They were married in Grande Island, NE on November 27, 1944. After the war, they returned to the Leo's family farm, near Bancroft, SD, where they farmed. In 1961 they moved to the Black Hills. Leola cherished her flower gardens and an avid gardener known for her green thumb'. She loved her animals like family and supported the Humane Society. She also had a heart for missions giving. She attained College of Regents in the Women of the Moose, where she was a current member since 1976. She loved the Black Hills, which inspired much of her poetry. She authored a collection of poems under the auspice of "Aura". Survivors include four sons: William "Bill" Waeckerle of Akaska, SD, Leo "Tom" Waeckerle of Placerville, CA; John Waeckerle of Box Elder, and Steven "Steve" Waeckerle of Box Elder; four daughters: Sharon Schafer of Schererville, IN, Carolyn [David] McGriff of Crown Point, IN, Eileen [Doug] Hamm of Hill City, SD and Pauline [Kenneth] Currier of DeSmet, SD; 23 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister: Theresa Noe of Virginia. Leola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo on September 9, 2011, one daughter: JoAnn; one brother; and seven sisters. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 pm Monday, January 7 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 4500 Jackson Boulevard with a Women of the Moose Memorial Ritual at 7:00 pm followed by a Scriptural Wake Service. Christian Mass of Burial will be 10:00 am Tuesday, January 8 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Brian Lane officiating. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.