photograph
Catalog Number
1958.18.1aDescription
Black and white photograph of Leona Diekema (1883-1972), the 2nd. wife of Gerrit J. Diekema (1859-1930).History
Leona Belser was born on 11-11-1885 to Fred Belser (1858-1917) and Emily Essick Belser (1856-1929). Leona was a graduate of the University of Michigan, class of 1908. She worked as a teacher in Detroit before marrying Gerrit Diekema in Holland, MI on 7-10-1920.The couple lived at 134 West 12th (1921 and 1930 city directories). While living in Holland Leona was a member of the Woman's Literary Club.
After her husband's death in 1930 Leona moved to Ann Arbor where she became director of the Betsy Barbour house, a dorm for female students at U of M. Leona passed away on 5-19-1972.