Leona E. Klawitter

Leona Elizabeth Klawitter was born to Otto John & Lena Marie (Schwisow) Bartels on June 5, 1928 at the family farm near Tobias, Nebraska. She passed away on February 13, 2023 at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 94 years, 8 months and 8 days. She was one of 7 children born in the family. Leona lived the majority of her life in Tobias. She was baptized at the Zion Lutheran Church on June 24, 1928 and confirmed on May 3, 1942. She attended Zion Lutheran grade school and graduated from Tobias High School in 1946. After high school, she taught school for a few years. She was married to Martin G. Klawitter on October 2, 1949 and two children were born to this union: Beverly Jean and Brenda Joyce. Leona was never afraid of hard work. At a young age, she had to help care for her younger siblings and this led to a strong work ethic. Leona and Martin both started out working at the Tobias school, Leona as a school cook and Martin as the school janitor. After the girls were out of school, Leona began working at the Girl’s Training School. During this time, Martin tragically passed away in a grain elevator accident in Milligan on November 26, 1973. As life moved forward, Leona took employment with the United States Post Office as a clerk in Tobias and occasionally working in Lincoln at the Post Office. After nearly 40 years of public service, Leona retired from the Post Office. She then began volunteering her time for the Tobias Grocery Store Coop and also tending to the Boulevard flowers as you enter into Tobias. Leona’s church family was very important to her and she remained a member of Zion Lutheran Church her entire life. She was active in the Church Choir, Ladies Aid and Bible Study groups. She also was active in the Tobias community serving on the Tobias Town Board and Library Board. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and embroidery, even constructing Brenda’s wedding dress as well as Bev & Brenda’s attendant’s dresses. She also enjoyed birds, especially cardinals, playing the card game ‘Rook,’ her Tobias Birthday Coffee Group, Husker Football and Kansas City Royal’s and St. Louis Cardinal’s Baseball. With all the activities Leona found to occupy her time, her priority was her family, specifically her grandkids. She loved to attend all activities of the grandkids, especially their sporting activities, keeping track of points and fouls during the contests. More so points for Bryce, Gina & Travis, and fouls for Brent! She also enjoyed following Brent in his auto races. It made her nervous to watch, but when she did, she would grip onto Brenda’s leg while Brent was on the track! Leona was the matriarch of the family and had to persevere through the loss of her husband at a young age, but she made the most of it. She moved to the Sunshine Villa Apartments in Milligan in 2014 to be closer to her daughters. In 2021, she moved to Heritage Crossings where she remained until her death. Leona was preceded in death by her husband Martin; parents Otto & Lena Bartels; brothers & sisters-in-law Vernon & Letha Bartels, Gaylord Bartels, Willard Bartels, Everett & Iona Bartels; brothers-in-law Wilmer Brandt and Lester Steinbrook; son-in-law Ralph Kassik; and nephews Jerry Brandt and Lowell Bartels. She is survived by her daughters Beverly & Daniel Kotas and Brenda Kassik all of Milligan, Nebraska; grandchildren Bryce & Molly Kassik of Geneva, Nebraska, Gina & Michael Krambeck of Omaha, Nebraska, Brent Kassik of Geneva, Nebraska, Travis Kotas of Milligan, Nebraska; great grandchildren Cooper & Lennyn Kassik of Geneva, Nebraska; sisters Dorothy Brandt of Western, Nebraska, Donna Steinbrook of Tobias, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Pat Bartels of Fairbury, Nebraska, Judy Bartels of Tobias, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. A Funeral Service for Leona was held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Tobias. Pastor Gideon Pullman presided over the Funeral Service. Jessica Denison accompanied the congregation in the singing of "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art," and "Lord, Take My Hand And Lead Me." Pallbearers included Bryce Kassik, Brent Kassik, Travis Kotas, Lyle Bartels, Terry Brandt, and Vance Bartels. A Graveside Service was held in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Memorials are suggested to the Family.

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Leona E. Klawitter

June 5, 1928 - February 13, 2023