Loraine Leheska, Chamberlain

Loraine Leheska, 87, of Chamberlain, died Oct. 12, 2012, at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain.

She was born Aug. 5, 1925.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, with burial in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery at Pukwana. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. today with a rosary/Scripture service at 7 at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain.

Loraine Hodgin was born at Kadoka to Charles and Stella (Albert) Hodgin. At the age of 2, her family moved to a farm near Oacoma. She attended school in Oacoma, where she graduated from high school in 1942. She attended National School of Business in Rapid City and worked in Kennebec before moving to California to work in various war-related industries.

In 1947, she returned to South Dakota, and on Sept. 9, 1950, Loraine was united in marriage to John Alden Leheska at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain. To this union were born Steven John, Susan Marie, James Allan “Joe,” and Jeanne Anne.

John and Loraine were involved in all their children’s activities, including 4-H and FFA. They were members of St. Anthony Church in Pukwana. In 1976, upon semi-retirement, they traveled and camped in the Gulf states and California, spending 10 winters on South Padre Island where they enjoyed the love and fellowship of fellow campers. They were married for 59 years when John passed away in March of 2009.

Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grateful for sharing her life are her children Steve Leheska and wife Gail, of Chamberlain, Sue Mairose and husband Greg, of Kimball, James Leheska and wife Joyce, of Pukwana, and Jeanne Mueller and husband Steve, of Oacoma; two sisters-in-law, Imogene Haase and Martin, of Mitchell, and Bernice Nemanic of Folsom, Calif.; nine grandchildren: David Leheska and wife Laura, Michael Leheska and wife Jennifer, Penny Carlson and husband Steve, Tess Welter and husband Nick, Matt, Katie, and Eric Mueller, Shanna Riehl and husband Jim, and Lacey Olson and husband Brad; and 12 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Luke, Sienna, and Grant Leheska, James Killian, Bridget Leheska, Gabrielle, Madeline and Samuel Welter, Mallory and Case Carlson, and Evelyn Olson.

Preceding her in death were her husband, John; her parents; a brother, Daniel; a sister, Donna; and a grandchild, Anthony Mueller.

Tags: obituaries, chamberlain

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