Leona Smejkal

COLUMBUS - Leona L. Smejkal, 96, of Columbus, died Friday, July 25, 2008, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

Private family services will be held Tuesday at Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. Dr. Jim Wooten officiating. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Private family interment will be in the Leigh City Cemetery in Leigh. Memorials are suggested to the Federated Church Building Fund, Columbus Community Hospital Foundation, or the Leigh City Cemetery Association.

Leona Smejkal was born Oct. 9, 1911, in rural Stanton County, to Charles and Alice (Severa) Malena. She graduated from Leigh High School in 1929. On Oct. 21, 1931, Leona was united in marriage to Frank Smejkal. They farmed in the Leigh area for over 41 years. After Frank's death, Leona moved to Columbus where she lived at the Becher Place Apartments for over 21 years. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, quilting, and did volunteer work at the Columbus Community Hospital for 25 years. She was a member of the Federated Church in Columbus.

Leona is survived by: daughter, Nadine (Wayne) Jungemann of Columbus; daughter, Lauretta (Melvin) Dehning of Columbus; grandson, Brian Dehning of Dublin, Calif.; granddaughter, Sheryl Dehning of Phoenix; and brother, Leonard Malena of Creston.

Leona was preceded in death by: parents, Charles and Alice Malena; husband, Frank Smejkal; brother, Edward Malena; sister, Evelyn Ramalia; sister, Blanche Spanhake.

Condolences may be sent to http://www.gasshaney.com">www.gasshaney.com