Leona J. Jones

Longtime Lexington resident Leona Jones, 93, died Saturday, July 10, at Eastmont Towers in Lincoln, Neb.

  Leona was born Oct. 27, 1927, in Staplehurst, Nebraska, to Hans and Johanna Sorenson.

She leaves a legacy of three children, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, all of whom she remembered with a card on each of their birthdays and doted on during family gatherings. 

   Leona and her husband, Lloyd, enjoyed playing golf together in Lexington and in south Texas for years. A stray shot might prompt the comment, “Piffle,” from Leona but nothing stronger.

   She was a staunch follower of Nebraska athletics, watching Husker football games from seats in the west stands for decades and attending an occasional away game. During one such game, she and Lloyd made lifelong friends of arch-rival Penn State fans Ron and Annie Moyer after meeting them at a College Station tailgate party.  A milestone moment came when she and Lloyd got to see the Huskers beat Florida 63-24 for the national title in 1996, but watching and/or listening to a Nebraska basketball or volleyball victory pleased her just as much - even in the final months of her life.

   Leona enjoyed playing bridge and other card games. A competitive streak came out at times during those games and her famous homemade ice cream and ever-ready cookies or sweets followed an evening of cards with family or friends. 

   Leona didn’t enjoy baseball, but sat through countless games in Lexington at the fairgrounds with her baseball-loving husband. She also attended many, many high school athletic events and probably would have done so regardless of whether her children and grandchildren were playing.

  Leona and Lloyd enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in south Texas, escaping the Nebraska winters. Leona made a trip to Washington a decade ago as well as a road trip from Lexington to New Mexico and Texas to visit grandchildren. She and Lloyd loved to dance and often made friends at dances held in Nebraska.

   Instead of growing more set in her ways as she aged, Leona was open-minded about new-fangled gadgets pushed on her by family -  microwave ovens, TiVos, DVRs, laptop computers, Facebook and the like. That open-mindedness extended to people. She was a non-judgmental and giving woman who enjoyed many friends. 

 Leona served as a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Lexington for over 60 years and donated time to various community organizations such as the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels.    She was a member and leader in the Eastern Star organization for years and she and Lloyd were instrumental  in bringing the HOST program to Lexington Public Schools from their time in Texas. She will be greatly missed and forever admired by family, friends and those who knew her for her strong spirit and giving heart. 

Leona is survived by two sons, Mark (Patty) of Lincoln, Neb., and Scott Starla) of Hobbs, N.M.; a daughter, Sheila (Kent) Bader of Richland, Wash., grandchildren Megan Gilbertson of Lincoln, Neb.; Michala Christianson of Denton, Tx.; Erin Manken of Central City, Neb.; Zach Jones of Lexington, Neb.;  Kelly Vaselli of Albuquerque, N.M.; Shawna Jones of Gibraltar; Sydney Thomas of Madison, Wisconsin; and Cecily Bader of Richland, Washington; and ten great-grandchildren.

Leona is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; one brother, Leo, and two sisters, Sally and Irene.

 Memorial Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2021, at Reynolds Love Funeral Home in Lexington with the Reverend Anne Gahn, officiating. The service will be live streamed on the Reynolds Love Facebook page.

Inurnment will be in the First United Methodist Church Columbarium in Lexington.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com