Obit: Dudansky, Leora Mary (1909 - 2005)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dudansky, Pagel, Harper, Wald, Calcote, Graski, Suda, Luer, Danielewicz, Stelter, Groettum, Leskinen, Hinker

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) May 18, 2005

Dudansky, Leora Mary (February 1, 1909 - May 13, 2005)

Leora M. Dudansky, age 96, of Thorp passed away Friday, May 13, 2005 at her home.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorp with Rev. Daniel Welch officiating. Burial followed at Sylvan Cemetery, Town of Reseburg rural Thorp. Pallbearers were: Kit, Shaun, and Dana Jay Graski, Mark and Scott Calcote, and Randy Hinker. Visitations were held on Monday, May 16, 2005 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Thorp Funeral Home and on Tuesday one hour prior to services at the church.

Leora Mary Pagel was born on February 1, 1909 in the Town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, to Louis and Nettie (Harper) Pagel and was educated at area schools. She was united in marriage to William Dudansky on June 12, 1928 in Cadott, WI. Together they farmed in the Towns of Reseburg and Worden where they raised their family until retiring in 1965. The then moved to their present home in the City of Thorp. William later passed away on December 23, 1977. After her husband’s death, Leora continued to be a hard worker who never shied away from helping her family or neighbors. Among her many hobbies were cooking and baking, crocheting, playing cards, fishing, gardening and reading. In her later years, Leora loved to travel. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was also a member of the Ruth Circle.

Leora is survived by her four daughters: Florence (Adolph) Wald of Cedar Falls, IA, Betty Calcote of Iowa City, IA, Leora A Graski-Suda of Thorp and Geraldine Dudansky also of Thorp; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; four sisters: Evelyn Luer of Chicago, IL, Alice Danielewicz of Owen, Florence Stelter of Stanley, mary Ann Groettum of Coon Rapids, MN and one brother: Theron (Marilyn) Pagel of Eau Claire, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William; four brothers: Henry, John Louis and Fred Pagel, and four sisters: Julia Leskinen, Allie Leskinen, Nettie Leskinen and Alene Pagel.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.