Leona E. Baluska

Leona E. Baluska, 88, of Bushnell, died at the Kimball County Manor on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Pine Bluffs, Wyo., with Pastor John Melms officiating. Burial will be in the Kimball Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 1-6 p.m. to sign the register book and leave condolences for the family. Friends may visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view the obituary and leave messages of sympathy for the family. Memorials have been established to the Grace Lutheran Church. The services for Leona have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Leona Esther Baluska was born in Madison, Neb., on March 24, 1926, the daughter of Carl and Alma (Hintz) Klawonn. She moved to Grover, Colo., with her family and attended school in Pine Bluffs.

Leona was married to Jacob Baluska on June 24, 1945 in Kimball. The family farmed northwest of Bushnell. Leona lived with her parents in Grover while Jacob served his country during World War II. She loved gardening, sewing and the outdoor life, especially life on the farm and taking care of her family.

Survivors include her husband, Jacob Baluska of Bushnell; children, LeRoy (Peggy) Baluska of Cheyenne, Wyo., Charles (Chris) Baluska of Kimball, Jerry Baluska of Kimball, Elaine Stewart of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Monty Baluska of Pine Bluffs, Wyo; nine grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son, Duane; brother, Melvin Klawonn; sisters, LaDena Constable and Meta Moldenhauer; and grandson, Scott Baluska.