Leona F. (Laskowski) Lebiedzinski

March 27, 1924 - Feb. 1, 2021

GRANGER, IN - Leona F. (Laskowski) Lebiedzinski, 96 years young, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021. She lived most of her life in South Bend and Osceola but was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 27, 1924 to the late Frank and Mary (Michalski) Laskowski. She lived independently in her home in Osceola, Indiana for 63 years. In 1946, she married Richard F. Lebiedzinski, who preceded her in death in 1970. She is survived by her children, Sue (Joel) Friesner of Osceola, Indiana, Jim (Joni) Lebiedzinski of Prescott, Arizona, and Jane (Gary) Stearns of Douglas, Wyoming. She has four grandchildren, Beth Friesner of Galveston, Texas, Eric (Heather) Friesner of Osceola, Indiana, Cody (Brandon) Thomas, and Jake (Kelsey) Stearns of Douglas, Wyoming; four great-grandchildren, Leo Friesner, Brody Thomas, Brady Thomas, and Aspen Stearns; and two step-great-grandchildren, Blaine Thomas and Westen Thomas. She is also survived by a sister, Rosemary Carroll, a brother, Don (Pat) Laskowski, a sister-in-law, Sister Jane Marie, and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and always loved her jokes and stories. She also leaves behind Daisy, her cat and faithful companion. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Harriett Czopek and Bernie Jankowski and their spouses, Ed Czopek and Leo Jankowski; her brother, Frank Laskowski and his wife Marie; her brothers-in-law, Don Carroll and Steve (Barbara) Lesley; and her parents-in-law, Steve and Lillian Lebiedzinski. There is no doubt that a loud, fun Euchre game is taking place in Heaven as she joins her family and long-time friends.

Leona was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, wife, sister, sister-in-law, and friend to many. She loved her family and her cat, and she loved her children's friends like they were her own. And everyone loved her. She had a tremendous sense of humor that she passed down to her children. She was a hard worker and loved to play card games, Scrabble, and go gambling any time she could. She was thrifty but generous and never frivolous. She was committed to God, never wavering in her faith, and was a charter member of Queen of Peace Parish since 1957, where she belonged to the Rosary Society, St. Mary's Circle, and volunteered for many activities.

Leona worked hard her entire life and finally retired from Whitehall Labs in 1989. At 20, she worked at Bendix, where she was a courier who delivered her parcels on roller skates. She worked at Studebaker Corporation and was a partner with her husband and parents-in-law in their business, Mishawaka Maytag Company. She later worked at General Telephone Company prior to Whitehall Lab in Elkhart, Indiana. She traveled often either by bus, plane, train, or cruise ship. She loved spending time at any lake. You always knew you would have a good time with her. Her smile and laugh would light up the room. You could find her doing crossword puzzles in ink, watching the Chicago Cubs, and cheering on Notre Dame. Family time was always about card games, especially Euchre, the game she never forgot how to play...with a vengeance. She loved scratch-off lottery tickets and penny games at the casino and Lucky Leona was her nickname. She also enjoyed reading, horse races, and getting in on football pools. She bowled for many years and won many championships. She loved parties and picnics and belonged to several lunch groups that met monthly. She drove her little red Grand Am until she couldn't see over the steering wheel. Her favorite retirement saying was “I can do what I want, if I want, when I want,” and she did exactly that. We will miss her terribly.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Hearth at Juday Creek and also Heartland Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 230 Catalpa Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545.

The Funeral service will be February 27, 2021 at Queen of Peace Church, 4508 Vistula Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46544. There will be a Rosary at 10:00, followed by Mass. Due to COVID, there will be no visitation preceding nor reception following the service. Private burial to follow in Chapel Hill Memory Garden in Osceola, IN. Chapel Hill is honored to care for the Lebiedzinski Family.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Feb. 19, 2021.

Sources: Ancestry.com and Legacy.com

05/22/2024 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southbendtribune/name/leona-lebiedzinski-obituary?id=7345808