Leona Katherine "Lea" Kjar

Leona K. “Lea” Kjar, 92, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2012, at WEL-Life at Plum Creek in Lexington. She was born October 23, 1919, in Indianola, Nebraska to John C. and Mary (Weskamp) Gillen. Lea attended rural school in Frontier, County and graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1938. She attended Teacher’s College for one year in McCook and taught for two years in a Willow County rural school. In 1940, she moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked as a stenographer for Armour & Company and Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad until her marriage. She was married to Carl J. Kjar on September 6, 1945, in Denver. The couple was blessed with six children; three girls and three boys. The Kjar family returned to Nebraska to the farm, where they raised their family and Lea spent many years keeping up with school functions, 4-H Clubs and organizations. She also loved to sew, crochet and woodwork. The couple enjoyed traveling and Lea enjoyed being active in St. Ann’s Catholic Church, bandage rolling and study group. Lea’s enjoyment of sewing and crocheting kept her busy at county fair time as she always made projects to submit for judging. She was proud of the fact that she made it to the Nebraska State Fair. Lea was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who always had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed family get-togethers and visits from friends and family. Survivors include her children; Kenneth Kjar of Lexington, NE; Dean (Pam) Kjar of Wood River, NE; Sherry (Terry) Christensen of Clifton, CO; Jan (Bill) Jacquot of Loveland, CO; and Kathy (Dave) Hofferber of Lexington, NE. Other survivors include fifteen grandchildren fifteen great-grandchildren with one on the way; sister-in-law, Clara Gillen of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Lea was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl on August 7, 1999; son, Rollie; grandson, Jared Wood; two brothers, Lloyd and Don Gillen, and one sister, Mildred Sughroue. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Neal Nollette officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 16, 2012, from 4-6 p.m. with Wake Service to follow at 8:00 p.m. all at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Burial will be in the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery at Lexington. Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or the Heartland Military Museum at Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.