A Funeral Mass for Leona Hershiser, age 85, of O'Neill, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 3, 2018, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill.  Fr. James Weeder will officiate.  Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, December 2, 2018, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a Parish Rosary at 6 p.m.  Leona passed away November 27, 2018, at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.  Memorials can be made to the family for future designation.  Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of arrangements.

Leona Claire Troshynski was born on February 13, 1933, in Atkinson, Nebraska to Michael and Lauretta (Murphy) Troshynski. She was the oldest daughter of their family of seven children: Richard, Leona, Miriam, Betty, Muriel, Michael, and Jim. Leona attended country school through eighth grade.  She then boarded and attended St. Mary's Academy, graduating in 1950.  After graduation, Leona attended Wayne Normal College and earned her teaching certificate. She taught at a country school in Holt County for several years.

Francis Hershiser first caught Leona's eye while playing in a baseball game that her father was umpiring. However, three years of Francis's service in the Korean War kept them from getting to know one another.  Following a chance encounter, the couple began dating. Leona and Francis were then married on May 25, 1954, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  The couple made their home in O'Neill and to them, four daughters (Ann, Judy, Carolyn, and Mary) were born.  Leona kept the books for their business, Fritz's Body Shop. She was a homemaker, a seamstress for her family, and an accomplished quilt maker.

Several years after her husband Francis passed in 1993, Leona met Bob Erwin. They spent the rest of her life traveling, visiting family, and taking care of one another.

Leona was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the St. Patrick's Altar Society, serving on the funeral committee for many years; she was a Girl Scout Leader for over twenty years, and a member of a card club.  She enjoyed playing cards, reading, sewing, and cooking for her family.  Leona will be remembered for piecing and hand sewing  quilts for many of her family and friends.

Leona is survived by her four children, Ann (Chuck) Wrede of O'Neill, Judy (Randy) Holz of Kearney, Carolyn (Kevin) Johnson of Ainsworth, Mary (Janna Dacus) Hershiser of Allen, TX; nine grandchildren, Gen (Bill) Luff, Doug (Katie) Wrede, Amy (Adam) Bethards, Sarah (Bob) Hock, Christopher (Jeanne) Holz, Katie Holz, Kirstin Sholes, Michael (Samantha) Sholes, Kellie Sholes; eight great grandchildren and a great grandson expected in the spring; loving companion, Bob Erwin of O'Neill; brother, Jim (Betti) Troshynski of Atkinson, NE; sister in law, Ethel Hershiser of Omaha, NE; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lauretta and Mike; her husband, Francis; two brothers, Richard and Michael; and three sisters, Miriam Murray, Betty Minton, and Muriel Troshynski.