Lea Juan Teakell

Lea Juan Teakell

Cedar Rapids

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Lea Juan (Ruby) Teakell, 84, at Westridge Care Center on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. Following a courageous battle with dementia, our Heavenly Father called her home peacefully with her loving family by her side.

Lea Juan was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother who lived her life in awe of the simple pleasures and in service to the Lord and others. Born to L.D. and Sidney Danner on Oct. 18, 1938, in Sayre, Okla., she was the oldest of five children. Lea Juan married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Teakell, in 1956. They moved several times while raising their family and eventually settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they called home for the next 35-plus years.

Lea Juan was fiercely proud of the family she and Wayne built. She celebrated their triumphs and lifted them up during times of challenge and kept track of everything on her kitchen calendars. Lea Juan will be profoundly missed by her sisters, Iris Hanrahan, Teenye Hewitt (Ron) and Lois Johnson (Ron); brother, Frank; her children, Leslie Skelton (Johnny) and Wayne Teakell (Pauline); and grandchildren, Apryl (Nate), Heather (Ritesh), Benjamin (Lacey), Dayna (Daniel), Jarred and Austin to whom she instilled an appreciation for not being afraid to get your hands dirty, camping, fishing, gardening, radio contests, quilting/sewing (although her skill is unmatched by any of us) and sharing her love of the Lord through acts of service.

Her absence will also be deeply felt by the great-grandchildren who brought her immense amounts of joy and pride, Mitchell, Karissa, Mathyus, Charlie, Grayson, Sophia and Isabella.

She will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and her spiritual family at the Central Church of Christ where she was affectionately known as “The Sarge” for her unwavering leadership and devotion to the Clothing Giveaway that she ran multiple times a year every year to help community members in need.

Lea Juan was preceded in death by her parents, L.D. and Sidney Danner; and devoted husband, Wayne.

In keeping with Lea Juan’s wishes, no funeral service will be held, and she will be interned in her hometown of Sayre, Okla. Those who would like to, may make a donation in Lea Juan’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association to help fight the global Alzheimer’s crisis or a charity of your choice where her legacy will be upheld in continued service to others. Alzheimer’s association: On the donation form, you can elect to “Give in honor or in memory”. www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate

Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate Lea Juan’s life and find comfort knowing that she has been reunited with her best friend and husband and they are in heaven together watching over us. We encourage you all to honor her memory by humbly serving others and remembering that it’s the small moments and the simple things that make life worth living.