Leona Charlotte (Schroeder) Huneke, age 88, was born On July 7, 1928 to Paul and Charlotte (Spilker) Schroeder at Beatrice, Nebraska. She passed away on December 18, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Leona was baptized on July 22, 1928 and confirmed on April 22, 1941 by Rev. John Schaff at Trinity Lutheran church in DeWitt, Nebraska. She attended District #82 grade school near DeWitt and graduated from DeWitt High School in 1945. After graduation she worked as a receptionist at Dr. H. D. Runty for two years and two years for accounting in Omaha, until her mother became ill and was needed to return home. There she lived south of DeWitt on the family farm until she married Vernon Huneke on September 13, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran in DeWitt. The couple made their home east of Wilber on a Dairy Farm, raising two sons, Stewart and Steven. Leona loved the farm life, being with her family and grandchildren and attending their activities which, included rodeos, basketball and football games and especially gathering or attending Husker sports. In 1992 , Vernon and Leona retired and moved into Wilber to make their home.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, member of Ladies Aid and Merry Mixers Extension Club.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Vernon who passed away in January of 2014, parents-in-law: August and Anna (Burger) Huneke, brother; Glenn in 1927, brother-in-law and wife; Alvin and Anna Huneke, sister-in-law and husband; Alice and Arthur Obering.

Her survivors left to mourn are her sons; Stewart and wife Joleen of Wilber, Steven and wife Kathy of Sabetha, Kansas, five grandchildren; Barrett and wife Karla of Plainview, Nebraska, Faith Huneke of Wilber, Jordan, Levi and Mariah Huneke of Sabetha, Kansas, brother; Lawrence and wife Carolyn Schroeder of Lincoln, sister Dorothy and husband Richard Niemeyer of Pickrell, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 23rd at 10:30 am, Zion Lutheran Church, Clatonia, NE.
Visitation beginning Thursday, 1:00 pm, Kuncl Funeral Home, Wilber, NE. Family will greet friends from 5 – 7 pm. Interment: Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Clatonia. Memorials are in care of the church with the elders in charge.