Leona Thornton

Leona H. Thornton, 87 of 741 Woodview Avenue, Sheboygan Falls died at Harbor House in Sheboygan early on Monday morning, May 26, 2008. Leona was born on August 11, 1920 in the Town of Campbellsport in Fond du Lac County, the daughter of the late Edwin and Alvina (Marquardt) Pieper. She married the late Leo W. Gatzke on October 2, 1942 in Plymouth. He preceded her in death on December, 23, 1979. On June 18, 1983, Leona married Luverne Thornton in Sheboygan Falls. Leona was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls and was a former Sunday school teacher there. She was also a teacher aide at Lightfoot School in Sheboygan Falls. Leona enjoyed traveling, baking, cooking, gardening, and flowers. Leona is survived by her husband, Luverne of Sheboygan Falls; four sons, Dennis J. (Dianne) Gatzke of Sheboygan Falls, Galan A. (JoAnn) Gatzke of Waldo, Daniel R. (Lynn) Thornton of Howards Grove, and Richard L. Thornton of Arvada, Colorado; and one daughter-in-law Nancy Gatzke of Des Moines, Iowa. She is also survived by eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, two sons, Carroll Lee and Jeffrey A. Gatzke; two grandchildren, two sisters, Adeline Kienow and Elsie Grahl; and three brothers, John, Erhardt, and Arnold Pieper. Funeral services will be held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls on Friday, May 30, 2008 with the Rev Mark Janzen officiating. Entombment will follow at the Gardens of Peace Mausoleum in the Town of Sheboygan. Friends may greet the family at the church on Friday from 9 am until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to wenig@wenigfuneralhome.com A memorial fund is being established in her memory at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is serving the Thornton and Gatzke families.