Leona J. Gaydusek

Leona Josephine Loomis Gaydusek of St. George, KS and formerly of Mahaska, KS, passed away on March 19, 2019 at the Westmoreland Community Care Home in Westmoreland, KS.

Leona was born November 14, 1927, in Beatrice, NE to Archie and Josephine Kaltenbach Loomis.  Leona grew up on the family farm near Gilead, NE where Leona helped her parent’s farm.  She attended school at District #9. Then in 1942 attended high school in Gilead for 2 years, then finished high school in Fairbury, NE where she worked for her room and board to live in Fairbury to go to school.  In 1946 she graduated with 87 in her class.  Leona’s dad needed her to help that fall with harvest and offered to pay for the next semester of college if she stayed home that fall and she did.  January 1947 Leona started college at Peru State Teachers College.  The fall of 1947 Leona started teaching at District 45 for 3 years.  Summer 1950 she attended school at Peru.  That fall she taught at Gilead grades 5-8.  1951 Leona taught at District 69 by Deshler, NE where she taught for 3 years when her mom broke her leg and decided to teach closer to the family farm at District 23.  1957-58 Leona taught south of Beatrice and 1958-60 she taught northwest of Hebron.

February 7, 1961 she married Frank Gaydusek at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Gilead, NE.  They farmed northeast of Washington until 1968 when they moved east of Mahaska on a farm.  Leona was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, Hopewell Club; was a religion teacher many years and a member of the Altar Society at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church north of Morrowville and the altar society at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fairbury, NE.  She loved spending time with family and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities.  Leona is survived by her husband Frank and their two children Clara Ebert (Doug) of St. George and Glenn Gaydusek (Lori) of Mahaska and 4 grandchildren Tiffany Richard (AJ) of Miltonvale, Chelsea Stroda (Jacob) of Randolph, Cassandra Ebert of St. George and Natasha Gaydusek of Mahaska.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Josephine (Kaltenbach) Loomis.

Services will be Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fairbury.  The family will greet friends at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury on Monday evening from 5 – 6:30 and the Rosary will begin at 7:00. Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Hanover, KS. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.