Surnames: Podbelsek, Litwiller, Miller, Aumann, Gallion, Seefeld, Jonas, Nelson, Conrad, Eigsti, Shoemaker

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, 18 Feb. 2009

Podbelsek, Leda E. (21 Aug. 1924 - 15 Feb. 2009)

Spencer, Wis. -- Leda E. (Litwiller) Podbelsek, 84, of Spencer, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009, in the Palliative Care Unit of Saint Joseph's Hospital with her family by her side.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church, Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home, Spencer, and one hour prior to service at the church Friday.

Burial will be held in West Spencer Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Podbelsek, Jim and Scott Miller, Glen Aumann, David Gallion, Alan Seefeld, Larry Jonas and Maynard Nelson.

Leda was born Aug. 21, 1924, in Morton, Ill., to Albert and Verna (Conrad) Litwiller. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Morton High School in 1942. Leda attended Goshen College in Goshen, Ind., graduating with a bachelor of arts in education degree in May of 1946. She taught chorus and history for 11 years in Salem Center, Ind. In 1956, Leda traveled to Europe to sightsee and also provided kitchen assistance in a World War II refugee camp.

The former Leda E. Litwiller was united in marriage to Charles Podbelsek on Dec. 22, 1957, in Salem Center, Ind. The couple then moved to St. Charles, Mo., where Mrs. Podbelsek taught school for six months. In 1964, they purchased a dairy farm in Spencer, which they owned and operator until 1998. During that time, Leda also substitute taught at Spencer School occasionally.

Mrs. Podbelsek was a farm partner, an honorary member of the Up and Coming Homemakers, and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Marshfield. Leda enjoyed reading, listening to music, staying in touch with family and friends through letters, and she especially enjoyed keeping a diary (which she did for more than 70 years).

Leda is lovingly survived by her husband, Charles; two children, Curt (Debbie) Podbelsek, Marshfield, and Barbara Podbelsek, Dallas, Texas; one grandson, Ryan Podbelsek, Marshfield; one sister, June (Don) Shoemaker; one brother-in-law, Joe Eigsti; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She will truly be missed.

Mrs. Podbelsek is predeceased by her parents; and one sister, Jean Eigsti.