Leona M. (Schwenk) Paustian

LEONA MAE PAUSTIAN
Leona Mae Paustian was born in the rural Dundy County community of Lux on May 4, 1909 to Frank and Carrie (Nuding) Buffington and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Oct 14, 2011 at the Chase County Hospital in Imperial, Ne. Leona was baptized in a small stream north of Haigler, Ne. She attended Haigler High School, leaving at age16 to move to the Wauneta area. On June 2, 1927 Leona wed George Schwenk, Jr. in Wray, Co. The couple lived south of Wauneta where George farmed and Leona was a homemaker. A son, Emerson, was born to them in 1928, followed by daughter Joan, in 1932. In 1946, they moved to Wauneta, with George continuing to farm on the South Divide. With brother Tom, Leona purchased the Whiteway Grocery store.
Following George’s sudden passing in 1956, Leona moved to Colorado Springs, Co. where her parents resided. Leona took a job as a cashier at Sears and Roebuck where she remained for a total of 15 years. Leona also became a landlord at that time. While in Colorado Springs, Leona married Chuck Jobbins, only to have him pass away a year later.
Leona continued to succeed at her job at Sears and managing rental property. In the early 70’s she met and married Elmer Paustian and moved to Leadville, Co. where she opened a business in their home. Leona and Elmer decided to return to Wauneta, Ne. in late 1973 to escape the Colorado winters in Leadville. Elmer died suddenly while making a return trip to Colorado during the move.
Leona enjoyed gardening, needlework, crossword puzzles and cooking. As an avid reader, Leona read the Bible daily. She was an active member of The Church of the Nazarene for many years, serving on the board and holding several offices. She could always be counted on to provide a home cooked dish for any church event or family gathering.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her three husbands, three brothers, Harold Buffington, Thomas Buffington and Ed Buffington; sister, Edna McBride; son Emerson Schwenk; great grandson, Cody Sis and great great grandson Noah Brunkhorst.
Survivors are daughter Joan Denker; daughter-in-law, Joyce Schwenk; grandsons Matt (Tammy) Schwenk, Nick Schwenk and Kurt (Minnie) Denker; granddaughters Rhonda (Lynn) Brunkhorst, Janet (Rich) Keiser and Michelle (Steve-deceased) Sis; nine great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Laura Buffington and Arlene Buffington; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Services for Leona Paustian will be held Tuesday morning October 18, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. (MT) at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta with Pastor Greg Stuckwisch officiating. Internment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta. NE
Visitation will be held Monday afternoon October 17, 2011 from 2 – 6 p.m. (MT) at the Funeral Home in Wauneta.
A Memorial has been established to the Dundy County Hospital Foundation.
Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
LIEWER FUNERAL HOME IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS