Leona C. Spring

Leona C. Spring, 73, passed away at the Vitas Innovative Hospice IPU, Wauwatosa, on Monday, February 16, 2009, following a long and difficult illness. Leona struggled strong and hard until the very end. Her will was stronger than her body. Finally, she could no longer go on. Leona has fought the good fight and finished the race. She now is in the care of our Lord and Savior. Mrs. Spring was born in Racine on December 12, 1935, the daughter of the late Anthony and Esther (nee: Luebke) Beres. She was a 1954 graduate of William H. Horlick High School. On September 26, 1959 Leona was united in marriage to Dennis C. Spring. She had been employed by the Park Inn Restaurant, in Kenosha, Wigs and Ellie’s Charcoal Lodge, DeMark’s Bar, and finally, retiring in 1997 from the Journal Times after 10 years of service. Leona was an avid Brewer fan. She also enjoyed bowling and traveling the scenic roadways to northern Wisconsin and South Dakota. Surviving are her husband of nearly 50 years, Dennis C. Spring; their children, Nancy (Timothy) Gename, Lynda (Carl) Nejedly, all of Racine, Dennis A. (Kelly) Spring of East Troy; 2 precious grandchildren Kate Elizabeth and Cory Joseph Nejedly. Leona is also survived by her sisters, Fran Gigl and Ruth Kern, and by her brother Larry Beres. Her nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends further survive her. She will be deeply missed by all of them. In addition to her parents, her sister Marge Bidlo and brother James Beres preceded her in death. Her funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 19th, at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Senior Pastor Major Robert L. Edmonds officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and in the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Cremation will follow. A private inurnment will follow at a later date. The family has suggested memorials be made to the American Heart Association. The family would like thank Vitas Hospice for helping Leona during this difficult time.