Leona Augusta Clara Naef, age 102, of Merrill, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 at Pine Crest Nursing Home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.
She was born Aug. 5, 1911 in Merrill to the late Otto and Helen (Sodke) Oldenburg. On Sept. 30, 1933 Leona and Herman Naef were united in marriage. He preceded her in death June 27, 1962.
Leona was a 1929 graduate of Merrill Senior High School. She went on to attend Normal School where she received her teaching degree. After her marriage, Leona was a home maker and also helped on their dairy farm. After Herman died in 1962, she continued farming with her sons until her retirement. She spent much of her time helping others, from sewing quilts in the Ladies Aid at Calvary Lutheran Church to making mattresses during WWII at the Town of Hewitt town hall. She was always there when help was needed. Leona had cleaned the one room Trappe River School for many years. Leona made treks into the woods for raspberries and kept her vegetable garden blooming and beautiful. Leona was confirmed at St. John Lutheran on March 17, 1925 and was a past member of Trinity Lutheran, Town of Hewitt, and a devoted member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Calvary Church Choir. Leona was known as an excellent seamstress and bread baker. She was a wonderful cook too and her grandkids couldn’t get enough of her chocolate chip cookies. Leona never drove a car-she rode around on a three wheeler bike.
Survivors include her daughter, Geraldine Koenig, Wausau; sons, Robert (Rosalie) Naef and Herbert (Sheri) Naef, all of Merrill; son-in-law John Toth, Merrill; eight grandchildren, Glen (Renee) Toth, Merrill, Grace (Greg) Pfingsten, Wausau, Pamela Toth, Merrill, Todd (Laura) Koenig, Athens, William Naef, Merrill, Kelly (John) Kraegenbrink, Merrill, Nathan (Andrea) Naef, Hopkins, MN, and Clinton Naef, Wisconsin Dells; nine great-grandchildren, Sam (Clarissa) Toth, Emily Toth, Kaisha & Kiana Pfingsten, Kristi Oertel, Brooklyn & Korina Kraegenbrink and Alexander & Zachary Naef; and three great-great-grandchildren, Abby Oertel, Autumn Oertel and Bentley Toth. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Naef, daughter, Darlene Toth, three sisters, Olgo Woller, Mildred Schleif and one sister in infancy, and two brothers, Richard and Ralph Oldenburg.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 28, at Calvary Lutheran Church, Pine River. Pastor Karen Tews officiated. The burial followed in Merrill Memorial Park, following the luncheon at the church.
Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.