Leona Marie (Grauerholz) Kuhlmann, 92, of Pawnee City formerly of Table Rock, Nebraska was born on August 24, 1923, in Kensington, Kansas to William and Mary Grauerholz.  She attended grade school in Kensington and later graduated from Kensington High School with the class of 1941.  On March 5, 1946, Leona was united in marriage to Reinhard Kuhlmann in Kensington, Kansas.  To this union seven children, Deanna, Dennis, Doreen, Orlin, Marilyn, Teresa and Karen were born.  The couple began their marriage living in Kensington, Kansas from 1946-1951 before moving back to Nebraska.  They lived in Auburn from 1951-1961, in Humboldt from 1961-1979, outside of Table Rock from 1979-2012, and at the Pawnee Village.  Leona was a current member of The Faith Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Nebraska where she and Reinhard held their membership for many years.

After graduation, Leona worked teaching school, worked at the sewing factory in Auburn for many years, and at Campbell’s Soup in Tecumseh until she retired.  After retirement, Leona Sewed for Humboldt Specialties and was a foster grandmother at Head Start in Table Rock for many years.  Leona was involved in her church and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.  She loved to sew and over the years made many dresses, prom dresses, and a wedding dress.  Leona enjoyed making quilts and participated with the Sewing Grannies at Colonial Acres and helped make many for the Orphan Grain Train. 

Leona passed away at the Premier Estates in Pawnee City, Nebraska on Friday, December 4, 2015, having reached the age of 92 years, 3 months, and 10 days.  She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; an infant son Dennis, brothers; Leroy and Kenny Gemaehlich, brothers-in-law; Vernon Beckman, Alvin, Walter, Edmund, Ernest and Ervin Kuhlmann, son-in-law Rick Burgett, and sisters-in-law; Rosina Kuhlmann, Rosa Kuhlmann, Leona Kuhlmann, and Margaret Gemaehlich.

Leona is survived by her loving children: Deanna (John) Schmidt of Papillion, NE; Doreen Kuhlmann of Lincoln, NE; Orlin (Sue) Kuhlmann of Table Rock, NE; Marilyn Burgett of Humboldt, NE; Teresa (Mark) Turnbull of Humboldt, NE; Karen (Mike) Karbowski of Pawnee City, NE; 11 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 5 step great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a sister Clara Beckmann of Kensington, KS; a brother Lloyd (Margaret) Gemaehlich of Kensington, KS; sisters-in-law: Ida Kuhlmann of Tecumseh, NE; Jeanne Kuhlmann of Humboldt, NE; Manetta Kuhlmann of Sterling, CO; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015, at The Faith Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Reverend Robert Schermbeck officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at The Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment will be at the Humboldt Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to The Faith Lutheran Church or Orphan Grain Train @ P.O. Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702-1466. 

Online messages of condolence can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-Humboldt, Nebraska