Leo Xavier Nienas

I will always remember Leo's beautiful smile! His joyful spirit was contagious. While it was sometimes difficult for me to understand Leo, he clearly communicated love and joy to me every time I saw him. Leo's smile reminded me that my problems in life were not so bad after all. Whether on the front porch when we would come over to visit him, or at our neighborhood party or at Halloween as he went up and down the streets in his wheelchair, Leo would light up the entire neighborhood by his very presence!
It is funny how some people "light up" the room when they enter, while others "light up" the room when they leave. Leo was a bright light wherever he went and I am sure that Leo is in Heaven today continuing to brighten up everyone's life!
While I only knew Leo for a few short years, I will never forget him. He touched my life in a very special way. Tony, Diane, Matthew, Trent and Oliver, please know that Leo is NOT forgotten and neither are you.

With all my love & prayers, your neighbor and friend,

Doug Richards

Diane, I am so sorry to hear that your beautiful son Leo has passed out of this life. I first met him when you
brought him into Just A Little Bit Country with you. He will live on in your heart and thoughts and you will find he is still with you in a very real way watching over you. Blessings on your family, Joni Kinateder

Leo's sweet smile will forever light up our memories. We will miss the love and joy he brings with him, the amazement he has for his life's love's like fire trucks, school buses, his dog Lucy and T-Rex his lizard. We love you Leo.

Our family wants to send our condolences to the Schwalbe family. We indirectly knew Leo through his Aunt Laure, who loved him dearly. We are praying for all family members as they progress through this difficult time.

It was such an honor to have known Leo. He was such a special person whose smile lit up the room. Which meant every room was bright because he was always smiling when he was around people. He was such an amazing person and such an inspiration. Such a pleasure to have known him. You are all such an amazing and wonderful family, our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures and you beautiful son.

Leo's faith and courage were a real inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Leo was obviously a beautiful soul and a treasure to your family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, but know from you that he is in a wonderful place, watching down on each one of you. How fortunate you all are to have shared life with that wonderful boy. No doubt, your memories of your time together will help you to heal through this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. Debra Patterson, Bankers Trust

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

My condolences on the loss of Leo! He was a beautiful young man. May you be blessed with a peace that surpasses all understanding in the name of Jesus! -Holly

Precious Leo. Where do we began to express the love, memories, happiness, and joy you have brought to us and our family over all these years. We am forever grateful and honored to have been your aunt and uncle and a part of your life. We will always remember your beautiful brown eyes, your contagious smile, and your tender young heart. You have always been a true inspiration to us, and for this we thank you. We know you are now in the hands of Jesus, but you will always be close to our hearts and the memories we made will never be forgotten. We Love you Leo!

Tony, Diane, Matthew, Trent and Oliver,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you and your extended family at this time. It was truly a blessing to know Leo and to see his beautiful smile. Even in the midst of Leo's many health issues, Leo was always so full of joy. We always left Leo being blessed and encouraged. Thank you for showing all of us what true love looks like. We are all better for knowing Leo.

Nienas Family -
May the Lord wrap his arms around your entire family and bring you peace and understanding during this difficult time. Leo was an amazing child, gifted to a very amazing family. Love and Prayers -
The Neaves Family

Diane, Tony, Matthew, Trent and Oliver,
May the Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Christine Franz and Jared Franz

Tony and Family, thank you for sharing the beautiful life of Leo! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Tony,
My deepest sympathies to your and your family. His smile is amazing on the pictures posted.

I am so very sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you. A beautiful life, well-lived.

Surely the Kingdom of heaven belongs to Leo now. Praying for God's Peace and Comfort for your entire Family.
Shelly Reberg

Leo, although we never met, it feels like we know you through numerous emails and prayers from your dad's workplace. Everyone at the bank was always excited to get your updates and we all loved reading about your strength through very difficult times. Your story touched us all and brought us all closer. Heaven just got themselves an awesome angel. Prayers to your family.

So many memories and they are all of Leo smiling! No matter how hard it was he always wanted to do what the other kids were doing in class. The modifications were fun because he would always smile when I figured out a way to help him to pass out his valentines, play hockey, move on a scooter board, or catch a ball with a lacrosse stick! As it became harder he just enjoyed being a part of the social excitement of being with his friends. He taught me so much about how to love and live each moment never taking anything for granted. We also shared a very dear mutual friend, and now maybe he can say hi to Dr. Carol for me. Love you Leo and I am certain that you will live on in all of the lives you have touched with your beautiful determination and charismatic personality. You have been the light in so many lives!

Diane, Tony, Matthew, Trent and Oliver,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your family is an unending sign of God's love and grace in this world. Your constant support and sharing of your family is an inspirational gift to all you come in contact with. Leo's sweet smile and twinkling eyes along with his love of the color red, watches, and M&M's will always stay in our hearts. There is 1 more very special angel in heaven to watch over us all. We are very grateful for Leo and his family. Love and prayers

Any words said now pale compared the things you have written about Leo over the years. He brought so much love, life and faith to everyone who knew him.

Nobody's smile could light up a room like Leo's! He was such a special boy - I'm sure every one of his teachers from Summit View has a special "Leo moment" in their heart. One of my favorite memories of him was from fourth grade and the twinkle of mischief in his eyes when we sang a song about being in love with a pretty girl! Lol Prayers for peaceful hearts in the New Year knowing he is finally singing with the angels!

Happy Birthday my dear Leo! Mommy and Daddy have the cake in the oven and it will be decorated just the way you like it. Family and friends are on their way over and we will make sure to sing Happy Birthday twice in your honor.

Our hearts are with you. Thank you for sharing your family. Leo and you are and always will be dear.

My sincerest condolences, Diane and family. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. ❤

So very saddened by your loss of Leo. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God hold you tight through this difficult time. Love to your family!❤

Leo was an amazing kid! His happy spirit and sense of humor touched everyone he met. I am grateful that I was able to get to know him during his time at Summit View. The photos you have shared are precious and truly reflect the love you all have for one another as a close family. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet boy.

Tony and Family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I was so sorry to hear of Leo's death and can only imagine the loss you are feeling. I remember seeing him at the rummage sales, and seeing him make his First Holy Communion when my grandson did. As hard as it is to think of him gone, I believe he's now dancing in the Lord's Presence!

To Leos loved ones,
I have thought of you often over the years. Leos gigantic smile, big brown eyes, and joyous spirit will not be forgotten. I am so sorry for your loss and so glad I got to know him during his years at a Summit View. We always had fun talking and reading about school buses. He is one in a million. ❤

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to each of you during this time of great loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Our sincerest sympathies to your family at this time. It has been a joy over the years to read the family posts about your life with LEO. He is an inspiration to all of us. May God grant you peace. First Community Credit Union Real Estate Department - North Dakota. A donation was made to Katy's Kloset in Leo's name.

Tony, Diane and Family,
I'm very sorry to hear of Leo's passing. As I read through the beautiful comments outlining his short life. it's clear that Leo had an awesome gift which allowed him to touch the lives of those around him. What an incredible young man. I wish I could have met him.
May you all find rest in the knowledge of your faith knowing that he is with the Lord.

Tony, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I made a donation to Make A Wish Foundation Wisconsin in memory of your son. My thoughts are with you and your family. -Anita Hunt (Co-Worker of Tony's for several years at HP)

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Leo, although I didn't have the opportunity to personally meet him I felt the joy he brought to you through Diane's letters over the years. Cherish all of the beautiful pictures/memories. My thoughts and prayers to you all.

I am so sorry for your loss, prayers to your family for strength and healing during this difficult time
Nancy

My heartfelt condolences to all of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I was grateful to hear of Leo's journey and will miss those beautiful pictures.

Tony, Beth and I send our prayers and condolences to you and your family.

Leo was a true gem! His beautiful eyes and smile lit up my heart. Watching your Family over the years, Giving him life experiences with different seasons, Holidays, and life celebrations gave him fight of his life to stay part of. Leo gives new meaning to Sweet Sixteen! He was the sweetest!! I'm lucky to have been able to watch him grow up! His spirit will always be with you. God bless you ALL!

"Leo bravely endured so much in his life, while always appreciating the experiences his family made possible for him, a family that defines the true meaning of love. He was so blessed to have the caring family he had. I had the privilege of working with Leo in his home and witnessing first hand the unending care, devotion, and unconditional love of his mother, tender exchanges between Leo and his father, as well as the care and concern of brotherly love. I was also lucky enough to see how much he could learn and comprehend about the world around him, experience his wonderful sense of humor, and his beautiful smile. I know that through his strength and perseverance I learned far more from him than he did from me. I picture him, now, happy and free of his earthly limitations with all who have gone before him. You are missed, Leo, and will never be forgotten. Enjoy your red wings, you deserve them."

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.

Every day Leo attended Butler brought a great smile to the faces of those that were around him. His laugh and interest were contagious. His smile lit up a room! Leo brought many wonderful things to our school and I feel so lucky to know him and his family. Leo's joy was a great gift to me.

Always a bright spot when Leo stopped in at Katy's Kloset.