Gloria V. Ledvina

Gloria V. Ledvina On November 05, 2012 with heavy hearts we said goodbye to Gloria V. Ledvina, 87, Pilsen, Wis., as she slipped gently from our arms and into God's with her family at her side. Gloria was born July 09, 1925 in the Township of Eaton, Brown County, to the late Stanley and Anna (Meleski) Novitski, the fourth of five children. She was married to Leonard E. Ledvina until his death on January 14, 2011. As a young child, Gloria was raised on her parent's dairy farm, just a few miles from where she and Leonard started their dairy farm in Pilsen. On November 09, 1946, Gloria married her sweetheart Leonard, at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Eaton. They soon started a family of 10 children that became and always remained the focus of her life. For 64 years, Gloria and Leonard operated a successful dairy farm near Pilsen, where together they raised their children and entertained grandchildren who often spent time on the farm helping their grandparents with chores and enjoying Gloria's good cooking, canning and generous hugs. Gloria was a member of St. Therese Parish, Pilsen, and the Rosary Society. Her church was a main hub for her families social gatherings with baptisms, graduation masses, 4-H, Christmas programs, weddings, funeral masses, lunches, dinners, fundraisers and bunko. Gloria and Leonard were also members of several bowling leagues, including one of their favorites, the Rendezvous Bowling Alley where in addition to bowling they enjoyed dancing polkas on many occasions with friends and neighbors, to the tunes of local bands. Gloria also had the love for travel. She visited her two daughters in California on several occasions and would often talk about her visits to the Golden Gate Bridge, wine country and the sight of the ocean for the first time. For her 50th wedding anniversary her husband and family gave her a trip to Hawaii where she and her daughters spent a week enjoying the sights of the beautiful islands. She also enjoyed her visits to Colorado to see her two sons, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Her favorite vacation was her visit to Europe with a tour of Paris, London and her dream visit - Rome, where she toured the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter Basilica in Vatican City. The experience and memories stayed with Gloria the rest of her days. Bornemann Nursing Home in Green Bay was Gloria's home for the past ten years where she made many friends amongst the nurses, staff and other residents. Always cheerful, she filled her days at Bornemanns playing bingo and board games, listening to entertainment, going on field trips, attending mass and doing arts and crafts. Above all, the highlight of her day was when Leonard would come for daily visits. They would sit holding hands, watching TV or visiting other friends and family. Sadly this ended upon his death in 2011…Gloria missed him dearly from that day forward. A tender hearted woman, Gloria will be remembered for love of family, her nurturing touch, kind words and generous heart. Family and friends will miss her dearly but take comfort in knowing that she embraces us from a well deserved paradise, just as she is embraced by the loved ones who journeyed there before her. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die" - Thomas Campbell. Survivors include her seven sons and three daughters, Constant (Brenda) Ledvina, Colorado; Roxanne (Gary) Nimmer, Green Bay; Ernie Ledvina, Colorado; Randy (Anne) Ledvina, Green Bay; Lee (Joanne) Ledvina, Kewaunee; Rick (Carolyn) Ledvina, New Franken; Russ Ledvina, Milwaukee; Mark (Lisa) Ledvina, Luxemburg; Geralynn (Debbie) Ledvina, San Jose, California and Jolyce (friend, Kevin) Ledvina, San Jose, California; 23 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one sister, Violet Klarkowski, Eaton; two sisters-in-law, Mayme Ledvina, Luxemburg; Julia Dorner, Luxemburg; nieces and nephews. Gloria was preceded in death by one sister, Ruth (Ed "Buddy") Hedberg, two brothers, Richard Novitski, Chester (Lorraine) Novitski, five brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, Elmer Klarkowski, Charles Ledvina, Louis (Virginia) Ledvina, Norbert Ledvina and George Dorner. Friends may call at McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, Luxemburg, 3:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday November 08, 2012. Parish prayer service 7:00 pm with Deacon Bob Pribek. Visitation will continue between 10:00 and 10:45 am Friday at St. Therese Parish, St. Joseph-St. John Site, Pilsen. Funeral 11:00 am Friday at the church with Rev. Dennis Drury officiating. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Pilsen. A tribute will be established for the Gloria V. Ledvina Memorial Fund, in lieu of flowers. The family would like to thank extended family, friends and neighbors for their concerns, help and prayers. They would also like to thank the dedicated and compassionate nurses and aides at Bornemann Nursing Home and Unity Hospice.