Arietta Mae Leonhart

Arietta Mae Leonhart, age 89, of Gallatin, Tennessee, entered into rest on November 13, 2024, in the peace and comfort of her own home.

She was born in Arlington, Iowa, on April 5, 1935, to her parents, Giles and Nettie Hicks.

Upon graduating from high school, she enlisted and served in the United States Army.

Arietta married her soul mate, George Leonhart, on October 15, 1955, at the age of 20 years old.

Following her military service, Arietta was a high school teacher for 30 years, in California. As Arietta would say, she “taught business, and lived history.” Once she completed her career in education, she and her sweetheart traveled so often, their family would jokingly accuse them of living a vagabond lifestyle.

Arietta and George visited all 50 states more than once and took several trips to Europe. They loved fishing on the Mississippi River, in Iowa, and visiting the Black Hills, in South Dakota.

Arietta was a devoted Catholic, she recently became a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Arietta was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Family and friends will cherish her memory and she will be dearly missed.

Arietta Mae (Hicks) Leonhart is survived by her daughters, Kim Ann Swensen, Marcy Kittinger (Brian); grandchildren, Stacy Swensen (Wesley Kramer), Brian Swensen (Jennifer), Scott Swensen (Sherise), Daniel Kittinger; great-grandchildren, Lily Swensen, Ava Swensen, Everett Swensen, Emrys Swensen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, George Leroy Leonhart; father, Giles Hicks; mother, Nettie (Page) Hicks; sisters, Leola Lerch, Virginia Chapman, Audrey Johnson; and her beloved son-in-law, Rolland Swensen.

A memorial mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 10:00 A.M., with Father Richard Chidress as celebrant. Interment with the rendering of military funeral honors, will immediately follow the memorial mass, in Sumner Memorial Gardens, at 11:00 A.M.