Leona Schmelzle, 88, Seneca, Kansas passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Crestview Nursing and Residential in Seneca.

She was born in St. Benedict, Kansas on July 20, 1925, the daughter of William and Mary (Harpenau) Lackey. She attended school at St. Benedict, Kansas.

She married Albert Schmelzle on February 22, 1944. They lived, farmed and raised cattle in the Ford Community southeast of Seneca for 20 years. After the death of Albert in 1964 she moved to Seneca where she resided until her death.

She worked for a time at Campbell Soup Company and twelve years for Bern Extrusion. She retired in 1987. She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society and the QAF Club. She enjoyed needlework, especially crocheting and quilting, playing cards and bingo.

She is survived by two sons, Lawrence (Pat) of Esterbrook, WY and Kenneth (Peggy) of Peck, KS, one daughter, Katherine of Overland Park, KS, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, Leonard and Vincent Lackey and eight sisters, Rose Mary Woolsey, Rita Anna Heinen, Frances Lackey, Eileen McQueen, Bertha Trudell, Aurelia Fangman, Wilhelmina Koch and Anna Bockerstette.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM Friday, June 20, 2014 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 7 PM on Thursday, June 19th at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials will be designated at a later date.