Leonella Annie Klekar

 Leonella Annie Klekar, 89, of Hallettsville, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023.  

She was born in  Moravia on Jan. 17, 1934, to John V. and Annie Pargac Novak, the oldest of three daughters.  

She began her life on a farm in Moravia. After three years into her education the family moved to her present homestead.  She then attended Radhost School and finished up her education at Hallettsville High School.

At the age of 15, Leonella met her future husband Albert Klekar Jr. at a Breslau dance.  Their love grew for four years and led to their marriage on Oct. 26, 1953, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. 

After a few years of moving around, they managed to eventually move back to her childhood home. She then took on the role of mother and homemaker.  She made three batches of homemade bread a week because of Albert’s love of it.  She sewed shirts for her sons and kept the house sparkling clean

Leonella loved her flowersbeds and her garden.  She was blessed with five sons, Dennis, Ronald, Michael, Pat, and Robert.  Ten short years after their marriage and five boys later, Albert was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer.  Twelve years later, her beloved husband, Albert was called home by God on Jan. 21, 1975.

Leonella worked at Muska’s sewing draperies and sometimes even reupholstering furniture for over 25 years.  She retired from Muska’s so she could help take care of her grandchildren, Brandon, Cherise, and Travis. They were her pride and joy. She loved making kolaches with the grandchildren, especially with Cherise.  She was also blessed with three great grandchildren: Maddy, Shepherd, and Emma Kate.

Leonella was big in her faith.  She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.  For many years she was an adorer for the Adoration Chapel at the parish.  She worked at the church’s picnics with the plates to-go for many years.  She was a member of K.J.Z.T.  She loved to pray the rosary daily at two o’clock in the afternoon.

Leonella is survived by  four sons, Ronald, Michael, Pat and Robert (Margaret) Klekar, all of Hallettsville, three grandchildren, Brandon (Jen) Klekar, Travis (Amanda) Klekar, Sister Cherise Klekar; three great-grandchildren, Maddy Morris, Shepherd Klekar, and Emma Kate Klekar and two sisters, Willie Mae Rohan and Ann Kostelnik. 

Leonella was preceded in death by her parents, John and Annie Novak; her husband, Albert; son, Dennis, and infant daughter.

Visitation began at 5 p.m., Friday, April 14 at Kubena Funeral Home in Hallettsville. Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 15 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. Msgr. John Peters officiated. 

 Burial followed in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

 Pallbearers were Dillon Steffek, Mark Klekar, Henry Kostelnik Jr., Donnie Migl, Chuck Pavliska and Travis Klekar.  

Memorials may be made to a charity of donor’s choice.  

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.kubenafuneralhome.com