Leona Gurka Grahmann

Leona Gurka Grahmann 93, passed away October 26, 2005 in Kruse Village. She was born April 15, 1912 (the same day the H.M.S. Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic). Leona was the last surviving child born to Paul John and Leocadia Eva (Wroblewski) Gurka. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Stanisluas Catholic Church in Chappell Hill, where she remained a life long member.

In her early years, she took pleasure in hunting where doves and deer were the game of her choice. In 1977, she rescued the 1847 Routt home from demolition after having it moved and restored on the Gurka property west of town. Leona was very proud to have contributed to the stitching of the large quilt mural hanging in the Main Street Rock Store (circa 1869) depicting Chappell Hill. She also donated several family heirlooms to the Chappell Hill Historical Society now on display in the museum’s Polish room. She worked many years as secretary for Jesse H. Sharman in Houston until her retirement in 1969.

Mrs. Grahmann was preceeded in death by her husband Leon J. Grahmann, July 17, 2004; her parents; 2 sisters, Anastasia (Nannie) Kmiec and Valeria Gurka; 5 brothers, Alexander, Benedict, Jodie, Willie and Zelma. She is survived by one niece, Betty Mikolajchak and 5 nephews, Edmond Kmiec, Bill Gurka, Vince Gurka, Larry Gurka and Marvin Gurka.

Private funeral services were held Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 11 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill, with burial in the parish cemetery.