Leona Barten

March 31, 1930 - December 27, 2024
Leona G. Barten, age 94, formerly of Jordan, died peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024, at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center. Leona was born on March 31, 1930, in New Prague, to Anton and Margaret (Gerardy) Gansen. She grew up in Union Hill and graduated from New Prague High School. She married Jerome Schmitz in Union Hill on May 9, 1950. Tragedy would touch her life with Jerome’s untimely death and two young children to raise. She married Andrew Barten on May 11, 1979, and the couple blended their families. Leona worked in the accounting department for C Lind Ford for 17 years and then kept books for Hennes Feed Mill. She was active with the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Catholic Aid. Throughout her life, she was active in the various Catholic churches that she belonged to. When she was unable to attend Mass, her deep faith was expressed in the rosary.
Leona had an infectious sense of humor, always ready with jokes, puzzles, and silly entertainment! She was the center of fun and was known as the aunt who always had candy in her purse. She loved to play cards, especially Sheepshead and Euchre. Over the years, Leona had two cabins, one on Prior Lake and one on Shields Lake and those cabins fed her love of fishing; she loved both catching them and frying them up for her company. Her bountiful garden fed her love of cooking and canning. Her greatest interest in her later years, came with a love of Word Search and Sudoku, filling many of those puzzle books. Her sunny disposition, love of fun, and her ready laugh will be missed by her family and all who knew her.
Leona is survived by her children, Luann Schmitz of Shakopee and Dale (Pamela) Schmitz of Mooresville, NC; stepdaughter, Diane Rappath of Mendota Heights; grandchildren, Elizabeth Schmitz (Kyle Breheny), Michael Schmitz, Angela Kohlmann (Sloan Lorsung), Peter (Minda) Kohlmann; great-grandchildren, Elijah, Kyen, & Tayven; brother, Arnold (Pat) Gansen of New Prague; sister-in-law, Amanda Shimota of New Prague. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Jerome on October 25, 1976; second husband, Andrew Barten on September 27, 2007; stepdaughter, Cheryl Mork; brothers, Leonard & Leander Gansen; sister, Marcella Hoffman.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Eugene Theisen officiating. Visitation will take place at Bruzek Funeral Home on Monday from 4-7 PM and Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:30. Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery followed by lunch at the KC Hall.
She was such a sweet aunt and always had candy for us! We were always so excited when we got to go the her cabin on Prior lake! Such fun times.
Our condolences to the families
Shirley and Mike
Even as her body failed her she remained kind, fun loving and appreciative of life!
Heartfelt Sympathies to family & friends of Leona
Sending hugs & love to you Luann and your family. Your mom was always kind & had such a quick wit!
Luann- So sorry for your loss. She will be missed by many.
I am sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet aunt.