Leona Kroupa

TRAVERSE CITY — Leona Marie Kroupa, 94, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Leona was born on April 1, 1918, in Traverse City, to William J. and Emma A. (Thum) Schwind. After graduation from Traverse City High School in 1935, she went on to attend County Normal in Mancelona, Marquette University and Central Michigan University, receiving her teaching credentials in 1937. Leona taught K-12 at a one-room school house in Solon Township.Leona Schwind married Frank H. Kroupa on June 11, 1940, in Traverse City, and together they lovingly raised 11 children.Leona was a natural teacher, serving as a 4-H leader for 20 years. She demonstrated baking, sewing, knitting skills and arranged many educational 4-H bus trips. She and her husband, Frank, operated a successful fruit and dairy farm on the Kroupa Centennial farm in Leelanau County. Leona was actively involved for many decades with the home extension and home arts group of Leelanau County. Her lifelong interest in art blossomed after the children were grown, when she became actively involved in canvas and china painting. Her passion for baking and cooking led to many creative prize winning recipes. She loved gardening, canning, growing flowers and making artistic flower arrangements. She made and decorated many wedding cakes over the years.She was an advocate for higher learning and encouraged all of her children to attend college, which they did. She demonstrated by example the importance of being inclusive, tolerant and respectful of others irrespective of varied backgrounds and views. Leona is survived by her children, Barbara E. (Stanley) Levine, Gary W. (Lori) Kroupa, Elaine A. (John) Jonker, Mary L. (Steve) McKimmy, Lila Kroupa Araby, Frank J. (Barbara) Kroupa, Leone M. (Thomas) Powell, Elizabeth C. (John) Russell, Walter W. Kroupa (William Richardson), Dean A. (Margaret) Kroupa and Mark E. Kroupa; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lucille Lickteig and Mildred Evans.Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Frank in 1990; sisters, Edith Hafer and Isabell Bristol; and brothers, Ferdinand Schwind and John Schwind. Visitation for Leona will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, also at the funeral home, with a second visitation held one hour prior. A private burial will take place at the Bohemian Cemetery on the Old Mission Peninsula. Feel free to share memories or comments on Leona's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.