Gesing, Leona Elizabeth (Komarek) 1933 - 2024

GESING, KOMAREK, PECINOVSKY, JACOB, PALMER, KELLESVIG, KELLY, FARON, SCOTT, TREIBER, SCHLITTER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/12/2024 at 16:12:44

Leona E. Gesing, 90, of Waukon, IA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 18th, at 1:00 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Daniel Knipper officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 12:00 PM until the time of services at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic School, 200 2nd St. SW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Leona Elizabeth Komarek was born December 20, 1933, to William and Agnes (Pecinovsky) Komarek near Protivin, IA. She attended Catholic school in Protivin. On April 30, 1951, she married Joseph Gesing at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. In 1955, they moved to a farm in Jefferson Township south of Waukon. There they raised their five children and milked cows and raised beef cattle, hogs, and crops. Leona was involved in all aspects of the farming operation and also found time to care for a large garden. In 1981, Joe and Leona built a house in Waukon after their son Merlin came home to farm. At this time, Leona went to work as a cook at Northgate Care Center and was proud to have never missed a day in over 15 years of working there.

Leona was immensely proud of her Czech heritage and passed that along to her family. She made the lightest, most tender kolache, and these were a delicacy enjoyed at many family gatherings. After retirement Joe and Leona enjoyed travelling together. One of these trips was to Central Europe stopping in Prague, Czech Republic. She also enjoyed bus trips with friends, visiting many places in the U.S., as well as Ireland and she enjoyed a cruise that took her through the Panama Canal. Leona loved Lotton glass and enjoyed several trips to Crete, IL to see new pieces and watch how it was made.

Leona also loved to play cards, especially 500 and euchre. Her faith was very important to her and she was a devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She volunteered to serve school lunch for St. Pat’s school and attended CEW for several years. However, her happiest times were those surrounded by her family and grandchildren. Her quiet strength, strong will, and constant love and support for her family will be deeply missed.

Leona is survived by her children: Wayne of Dubuque, IA, Joanne (Paul) Jacob of Suisun City, CA, Mark of Maricopa, AZ, Kevin (Mary) of Cedar Rapids, IA, and daughter-in-law Becky Gesing of Waukon; eight grandchildren: Meghan (John) Palmer, Leah (Dan) Kellesvig, Vaughn (Alexandra) Gesing, Hannah (Patrick) Kelly, Emily (Logan) Faron, Abbey (Justin) Gesing, Lauren (Quinn) Treiber, and Paul Joseph Jacob; 10 great grandchildren: Faith (Ben) Scott, Ethan, Norah, Naomi, and Roslyn Palmer, Landon Kellesvig, Collin and Clayton Kelly, and Miles and Maggie Faron; one great-grandchild on the way; and one great-great-grandchild Harlan Scott, with another on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and son Merlin.

Honorary casketbearers are Leona’s grandchildren. Casketbearers include Ethan Palmer, Vaughn Gesing, Quinn Treiber, Kent Schlitter, Ben Scott, and Pat Kelly.

Source: Martin Funeral Home database