Surnames: Lato, Rogalski, Langiewicz, Supple, Gillett, Delaluz, Ramberg, Harder, Rode, Rixford, Peterson, Frese

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) June 4, 2008

Lato, Leona (24 July 1924 - 29 May 2008)

LEONA LATO

Our beloved, kind and determined mother, Leona Lato, age 83, of rural Stanley, WI peacefully passed with her faithful family by her side, into the loving arms of our Savior and her "darling Steve" at Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospital, MN, on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Mom fought a brave and gallant battle to recover from an accident suffered in her home in early March.

Services were held on Monday, June 2, 2008, at 12:30 p.m. with Chaplain David Lato officiating at the Plombon Funeral Chapel, Stanley, WI. Inurnment followed in the South Worden Cemetery. Friends and family called from 11:00 - 12:30 prior to service time at the funeral home. Plombon Funeral Service, Stanley, WI assisted the family with arrangements.

Leona was born July 24, 1924 in Thorp, WI, the daughter of Eva (Rogalski) & Alex Langiewicz. At the age of 15 she moved to Minneapolis for employment, later moving back to Stanley where she met her future husband, Stephen Lato. She was united in marriage to Stephen on July 5, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stanley, WI. They farmed in Thorp for four years then moved to rural Stanley where they farmed for another 32 years, retiring in 1979. Leona and Stephen were married for 59 years.

She was extremely talented with her hands, knitting, crocheting, quilling, and designing and making greeting cards. Two of her designs were published in a national crafting magazine. Polkas were her musical favorites and she also loved to play the harmonica and was an accomplished accordion player. Fishing, playing cards, gambling and cooking were also her passions.

Leona is survived by her nine children: Stephanie (Forrest) Supple of Boyd, WI, Gary Lato and James Lato, both of Stanley, WI, Dennis (Barb) Lato of Thorp, WI, Sue (Greg) Gillett of Altoona, WI, Peter (Jeannie) Lato of Chippewa Falls, WI, Trish Lato of Belgium, WI, Nancy Lato of Stanley, WI, and Janice (Oscar) Delaluz of Marshfield, WI; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters: Delores Ramberg of Withee, WI, Henrietta Harder of Minneapolis, MN, Clarice (Russ) Rode of Withee, WI, Eve (Rex) Rixford of Sheboygan Falls, WI, Audrey (Bill) Peterson of Stanley, WI, and Joan (Roger) Frese of Withee, WI; three brothers: Richard (Bunny) Langiewicz of Stanley, WI, Alex (Loretta) Langiewicz of Withee, WI and Adam (Bonnie) Langiewicz of Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years, Stephen; one daughter-in-law, Linda Lato; and one brother, William Langiewicz.