June 12, 1927 –
March 24, 2013
Leona V. Loney of Lawrence, Kan., and formerly from Pilsen, Kan., died March 24, 2013, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence. She was diagnosed with lymphoma several years ago and died from effects of this illness.
Services will be at St. John Nepomucence Church of Holy Family Parish in Pilsen on Monday, April 1, 2013, with a rosary starting at 10 a.m. immediately followed by Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at Pilsen Cemetery.
Leona was born June 12, 1927, in Pilsen to William F. and Christina A. Vinduska. She grew up in the farmhouse where she was born. She graduated from Marion High School in 1945.
She was married to James M. Loney on Sept. 23, 1946. They lived briefly in Herington, Kan., before moving to their longtime residence on a dairy farm a few miles from her childhood home. She and James moved to Marion in 1980 and then to Beloit, Kan., in 1983. They returned to Pilsen in 1987. Leona moved to Lawrence in 2004 and lived there until her death.
Leona is survived by her children, Dr. Linda Loney and husband, Dr. Thomas Cooper, of Boston, Mass., Dr. John Loney and wife, Teresa, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., Thomas Loney and wife, Betty, of Bristow, Okla., Patrick Loney and wife, Lori, of Derby, Kan., and Dr. Paul Loney and wife, Catrina, of Lawrence. There are also 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Veronica Konecny, of Hutchinson, Kan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Loney; daughters, Mary and Stephanie; and brothers, George and Sylvester.
Leona’s favorite activity was her time volunteering at Lawrence Memorial in the escort service, especially when she could help a family go home with a new baby. She often voiced her hope that she could someday return to this service but her illness did not allow it. Another joy for her was following University of Kansas basketball, and everyone knew not to call during the game.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a gift to a memorial in her name to either The Lawrence Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or to St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center. Please send in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to http://www.warrenmcelwain.com.