Leona Eileen (Boeding) Olberding, 83, of Seneca, Kansas passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Life Care Center of Seneca.

Leona was born east of Kelly, KS on December 13, 1935 to Herman and Anna (Haverkamp) Boeding. Leona graduated 8th grade from St. Bede’s Catholic School. After her school years, she worked the family farm and helped women in the area during the time of their pregnancies.  Leona also worked in Kansas City at various ice cream and candy shops during her early adult years.

On December 31, 1953 she married Robert Olberding at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly, Kansas.  When Robert entered the army, they were stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and then in Fort Lewis, Washington. They enjoyed the army life and made many lifetime friends in which they traveled across the US to visit the rest of their lives. In 1956, they returned to Seneca and for several years ran the Sun Vita Seed test farm east of town.  In 1962 they settled down and purchased a farm south of Corning. Together they ran a Grade A dairy farm and raised their 12 children.  After her children were raised, Leona worked at the Golden Eagle Casino and Seneca Court House where she helped in the processing of documents into microfilms.

In 1995 Robert and Leona purchased the original Olberding homestead west of Seneca where they retired.

Leona was active in the St. Ann’s and St. Patrick’s Altar society, and a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary where she was a past president. She was an avid gardener, impeccable card player, determined bowler, and the greatest maker of coconut cream pies. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports.  Besides her family she was most proud of the GED she earned in 1976 and the number of lives she helped save with her donations of blood.

Leona is survived by her husband Robert and by her 12 children, Duane (Kim) Olberding of Kansas City, Janet (Neil) Conley of Wichita, Barbara (Gerald) Feldkamp of Centralia, Joan (Dan) Rickel of Topeka, James (Jean) Olberding of Seneca, Donna (Kenneth) Wege of Hoyt, Michael (Sara) Olberding of Abilene, Cheryl Broxterman of Hoyt, Colette (Cy) Wallisch of Effingham, Kevin (Valerie) Olberding of Circleville, Angela (Shawn) Wise of El Dorado, and Brian (Mindy) Olberding of Corning. As well she is survived by 43 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 3 more great-grandchildren on the way.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Father Damian, Wilbert, Lawrence, and Francis; her sisters, Mary Kremer, Rita Brownsberger, Edna Steinlage, and Rosalia Fangman; grandsons, Ryan Olberding and Shane Olberding; a granddaughter, Mary Love; and a great- granddaughter, Hannah Love.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Rosaries will be prayed on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. Interment will be made in the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, sent in care of Popkess Memorial Chapel, 814 Castle Street, Seneca, KS 66538. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.popkessmortuaries.com.