Leona Irene Mitschke Knippa was welcomed into this world in the Lincoln area on December 22, 1924, as one of twelve children born to Oswald and Emma (Benad) Mitschke. She was baptized into the Christian faith on January 4, 1925 at Christ Lutheran Church in Loebau, Texas by Rev. Carl Durow and was confirmed into her life-long faith on September 4, 1938 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dime Box, Texas by Rev. George Kautz. Her confirmation verse was 1 Timothy 4 vs. 8 "Godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."

On November 8, 1942, Leona was joined in marriage with Alfred Isedor Knippa at Christ Lutheran Church in Loebau by Rev. Herbert Hartfield. To their life-long union, they were blessed with three children, sons Jim and Wayne, and daughter, Tricia.

Leona was a devoted wife and sister and a loving, kind and supporting mother and grandmother who was very proud of her children and granddaughter and who loved each of their spouses as her own. She loved her Lord, her family and her friends.

As a homemaker, Leona was blessed with many talents which she joyfully employed for the benefit of others such as cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, gardening and singing hymns. She was also a dedicated employee at various jobs including Invader Boat Factory, the GHS cafeteria and Lee Memorial Hospital.

Leona and Isedor enjoyed their 57 years of marriage while living in Loebau, Dallas, Giddings and mostly, their happy 45 years on the farm in Lincoln. They were active members of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lincoln and after their move to Giddings, became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Throughout their lives, Leona and Isedor always provided a happy home and welcome place for their family and friends to visit. They were also unfailing examples of Christian love and faithfulness. After Isedor's death on September 11, 2000, Leona was called to her eternal rest on April 25, 2010 while residing at Country Care Plex in Giddings at the age of 85.

Leona is survived by her children, Jim and Billie Knippa of San Antonio, Wayne and Arlene Knippa of Katy, Tricia and Mark Krugler of Giddings and by her granddaughter Julie and husband, Steve Colby of Salem, Massachusetts. She is also survived by her dear sisters Gertrude Nimtz, Minnie Nimtz, Ella Schaefer and husband, E.B. Schaefer, Rose Davenport, Joyce "Mickey" Mitschke and husband, Marvin Mitschke, by her dear brother Arthur "Sonny" Mitschke and wife, Marie Mitschke, by numerous nephews, nieces and the extended Mitschke family and by many beloved members of the Knippa family. She also left behind numerous neighbors and friends who found it natural to refer to her as "Mom". As she did so frequently during her lifetime, Leona will be extending a welcoming invitation to all of her friends and family to ultimately join her in her heavenly home.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, Charlie and Walter Mitschke, by her sister, Rubyle Rost, two infant siblings, sisters-in-laws, Ella Mitschke and Amanda Mitschke, and by brothers-in-law Albert Nimtz, Edwin Nimtz, John Davenport and Bubba Rost.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Friday, April 30, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The Knippa family will be present for visitation Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Leona will be laid to rest on Friday, April 30, 2010, following her funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings with interment to follow at the Giddings City Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Hal Ripple, Ralph Mutscher, Ron Knippa, Johnny Kieschnick, Dwayne Mitschke, Don Spivey, Lummus Hannes and Mark Schatte.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings, Texas or St. John Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Texas.

taken from www.leecountylive.com/obituaries