Leona M. (Mendyk) Smedra

Leona Smedra 82, of Grand Island, NE formerly of Loup City, NE died Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2012 at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City with Father Martin Egging officiating.  Burial will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at St. Josaphat’s with a Sodality Rosary held at 4:30 p.m. and a Vigil Service held at 7:00 p.m., both at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church or donor’s choice.

Leona Mae (Mendyk) Smedra was born May 27, 1930 at Loup City, NE to Stanley and Frances (Stenka) Mendyk.  She grew up and attended school in Loup City.  She married Alfred Smedra on November 20, 1947 in Loup City, NE.  To this union six children were born; Marjorie, Paulette, Ken, Mark, Kristi and Cindy.  Leona and Alfred farmed near Loup City and were married for 60 years.  Alfred passed away, November, 2007.  Leona was the cornerstone of the family with the church being the center of her life.  She was always involved with church circle, Rosary Sodality, 4-H and getting the kids to swim lessons.  She was always able to make a stick of gum workout amongst the kids.  She enjoyed working with the farm animals especially the dairy cows and being the calf feeder.  She was also the babysitter of the barn lambs and pigs.  In the early years she fostered six baby orphan pigs in a dresser drawer.  Leona lived in Loup City until moving to Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island in 2008.  She was a lifelong member of St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City.  She was also a member of the Sherman County Extension Club, Altar Society, Rosary Sodality, Hospital Auxiliary, St. Ann’s Quilters and Quest Bible Study.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Marge and Jim Shade of Omaha, NE; Paulette and Dave Janulewicz of Grand Island, NE;  sons and daughters-in-law, Ken and Laura Smedra of Loup City, NE;  Mark and Tammy Smedra of Kearney, NE; daughters and sons-in-law, Kristi and Mark Ulferts of Fullerton, NE; Cindy and Paul Soto of Wood River, NE; one sister, Carolyn and husband, LaVern Lewandowski of Grand Island, NE two brothers, Carl and wife, Alberta Mendyk of Arcadia, NE and Richard and wife, Annette Mendyk of Grand Island, NE; 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.