Leona M. Lueger, 85, of Seneca, Kansas, died Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at her home.

She was born December 26, 1925, on a farm west of Seneca, to Henry F. and Mary Tangeman Wietharn. She attended Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Seneca and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in St. Benedict. After graduating, she helped on the family farm.

On May 22, 1946 she married Alvin Joseph Lueger at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They lived and farmed north of St. Benedict and then east of Seneca for 10 years. For most of the couple’s lives together, they lived on a farm west of Seneca, which was the Wietharn homestead. There they raised their family and farmed.

Leona was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the St. Ann’s Altar Society in Seneca. She enjoyed volunteering at Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center, baking, gardening, playing cards and needle work. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and a great grandmother. She loved to bring her children and grandchildren together for parties and celebrations.

She is survived by eight sons, Galen (Carol) of Goff, Robert (Susan) of Omaha, Nebraska, James (Joan), Edward (Sharon), and Don (Diane), all of Seneca, and Thomas (Debra) of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Eugene (Janet) and Gerald (Karla), both of St. Marys, Kansas; a daughter, Mary (Steve) Nelson of Parkville, Missouri; a sister, Rose Kramer of Seneca; 28 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin on December 5, 1999; her son, Stephen Lueger on April 5, 2009; her brother, Vincent Wietharn; her sister, Ethel Rottinghaus; and an infant brother and sister.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Saturday, January 29, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday, January 28, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorial contributions may be given in Leona’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.