Leona Mae Paustian

Leona Mae Paustian

May 4, 1909 - Oct. 14, 2011

IMPERIAL, Nebraska --Leona Mae Paustian, 102, died Friday (Oct. 14, 2011), at the Chase County Hospital in Imperial.

She was born in the rural Dundy County community of Lux on May 4, 1909 to Frank and Carrie (Nuding) Buffington.

On June 2, 1927, Leona wed George Schwenk, Jr. in Wray, Colorado. The couple lived south of Wauneta where George farmed and she 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, she purchased the Whiteway Grocery store.

Her husband George died in 1956 and she moved moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She worked as a cashier at Sears and Roebuck where she remained for a total of 15 years. While in Colorado Springs, Leona married Chuck Jobbins, only to have him pass away a year later.

She married Elmer Paustian in the early 1970s and moved to Leadville, Colorado, where she opened a business in their home.

She 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 include her daughter, Joan Denker; daughter-in-law, Joyce Schwenk; six grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Laura Buffington and Arlene Buffington; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were today,, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. (MT) at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta with the Rev. Greg Stuckwisch officiating. Internment followed at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta.

Visitation was Monday afternoon, Oct. 17, 2011 from 2 -- 6 p.m. (MT) at the Liewer 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 is in charge of arrangements.

Leona Mae Paustian

May 4, 1909 - Oct. 14, 2011

IMPERIAL, Nebraska --Leona Mae Paustian, 102, died Friday (Oct. 14, 2011), at the Chase County Hospital in Imperial.

She was born in the rural Dundy County community of Lux on May 4, 1909 to Frank and Carrie (Nuding) Buffington.

On June 2, 1927, Leona wed George Schwenk, Jr. in Wray, Colorado. The couple lived south of Wauneta where George farmed and she 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, she purchased the Whiteway Grocery store.

Her husband George died in 1956 and she moved moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She worked as a cashier at Sears and Roebuck where she remained for a total of 15 years. While in Colorado Springs, Leona married Chuck Jobbins, only to have him pass away a year later.

She married Elmer Paustian in the early 1970s and moved to Leadville, Colorado, where she opened a business in their home.

She 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 include her daughter, Joan Denker; daughter-in-law, Joyce Schwenk; six grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Laura Buffington and Arlene Buffington; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were today,, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. (MT) at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta with the Rev. Greg Stuckwisch officiating. Internment followed at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta.

Visitation was Monday afternoon, Oct. 17, 2011 from 2 -- 6 p.m. (MT) at the Liewer 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 is in charge of arrangements.