Leona M. (Pelesky) Smith

BELLEVILLE -- Leona M. (Pelesky) Smith, 91, of Belleville, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Rolling Hills Health Center in Topeka. Leona lived her entire life in the northeast Kansas communities of Narka, Mahaska and Belleville. She was born on Aug. 3, 1918, to Charles and Helen (Nemec) Pelesky, of Narka. Leona attended school in Narka and graduated from high school in 1937.

She had her first date with her husband, Donald R. Smith, of Mahaska, after her high school graduation baccalaureate service. The two enjoyed attending local dances in the surrounding towns. Leona traveled to Bowling Green, Va., where she and Don were married on Sept. 16, 1942, before he left for overseas duty for World War II. During the time Don was overseas, Leona moved to Wichita, where she worked for Beechcraft during wartime.

Upon his return from war, the couple purchased and moved to a farm southeast of Mahaska, where Don had lived in his earlier years. There they raised their three children, with Leona working on the farm alongside Don until they retired and moved to Belleville.

Leona was an active member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She also enjoyed the friendships and playing cards with neighbors in Delta Dek Pinochle Club and Hopewell Card Club. In Mahaska, as well as Belleville, she was a member of the Family and Community Education Club.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Sanders and her husband, Duane, of Bangor, Pa.; her son, Dennis Smith and his wife, Jenell, of Wichita; her son, Gary Smith and his wife. Gayle, of Topeka; her granddaughter, Jill Ott and her husband, Dave, of Bangor; her grandsons, Ty Smith and his wife, Brooke, and Trent Smith, all of Wichita; her granddaughter, Heather Schulmeister and her husband, Joey, of Topeka; her great-grandson, Carter Smith, of Wichita; and her great-granddaughter, Avery Schulmeister, of Topeka. She is also survived by her sister, Lorene Salmon and husband Ray, of Salina; her sister-in-law, Amelia Pelesky, of Salina; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald R. Smith; and her brother, William Pelesky.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Central Christian Church in Belleville, with Pastor Mark Imel officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.to 9 p.m. today, Nov. 5, at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Mahaska Cemetery, rural Mahaska,

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice or Central Christian Church. Online condolences may be sent to bachelorsurber@nckcn.com. Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, is in charge of the arrangements.