Leona Salisbury

Leona (Schaub) Salisbury of Traverse City, passed away Friday, March 8th at Munson Hospice House, surrounded by family and friends. She was in the hearts and thoughts of those who could not be there. Born on July 6, 1929 Leona was the fifth child of August and Clara (Harp) Schaub’s eleven children. Raised on the family farm during the Depression Era, a strong work ethic was instilled in her from a young age. She was gentle and hard working, with a strong and independent spirit. As a young teen, she suffered a ruptured appendix and many thought this would end her life. Family and friends donated blood for transfusions and after three months Leona was well enough to return home, where she had to learn to walk again. In her late teens, she and her sister Dorothy moved to Traverse City, and she began working at the Batsakis Inn. She then met Guy, a handsome Private First Class in the US Army, and their first date was going to the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Traverse City. Leona and Guy married in September 1947 at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau. They were true lifelong partners. They had a model marriage, lasting 43 years, with the kind of love we all strive for. She has now joined him in Heaven, after he lost his battle with cancer in 1990. Guy built their first home, but soon after their marriage, he and Leona moved to a farm southwest of Traverse City. They raised their only child there. While Guy, a jack of all trades, worked at Northern Floor and Tile Service, then Burwood Products, Leona raised chickens and grew vegetables. There wasn’t a vegetable or fruit that she couldn’t grow, then can or freeze. She and Guy generously gave of their God given talents and garden bounty to family and friends. They enjoyed camping and snowmobiling in the Upper Peninsula with Guy’s cousin Albert and Dorothy Salisbury, and square dancing and euchre nights with dear friends Harold and Florence Moon. After Guy’s retirement they sold their farm and moved back into Traverse City. They enjoyed travel, country music concerts, the casino, and wintering in Ocala, FL. After Guy’s passing, Leona found joy in simple pleasures: tending her lawn and growing lush flower beds and a small vegetable garden, get togethers and casino trips with her brothers and sisters, scenic drives with her best friend Betty Schichtel, and a burger and beer now and then. She was a life long learner and thoughtful about the world and current events. She began sewing and embroidering beautiful quilts, machine pieced and lovingly quilted by hand, which were gifted to many family members. Her chocolate chip cookies, fruit pies, and carrot cake are legendary and will be missed by many. Leona lived a happy and fulfilled life, dedicated to her family, Jesus and our Blessed Mother. Leona is survived by her daughter Helen Poehlman (Christopher Miles), her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Jim and Irene Poehlman, their children Shannon (Mike) Bossi, Tina (deceased), Theresa (Drew Manns) and Alessandro; Michael and Kyra Poehlman, their children Henri, Cleo and Hugo; Jill Nottke (Michael) and her daughter Jacqueline Clark; and T. Christian Poehlman. She is also survived by her siblings Dorothy Reicha, Mildred Brockhuis, Albert Schaub, Irene (Jim) Hawkins, Gladys Ann (Paul) Dover, and Ralph (Josa) Schaub. Her sister-in-law Shirley (Salisbury) Struble, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents August and Clara Schaub, in-laws, Lawrence and Olive (Keaton) Salisbury; husband Guy, siblings Frances (in infancy), twins Theodore (Pauline) Schaub, and Rosaline (Jack) Kiessel, Willard (Barbara) Schaub; her brothers-in-law Julian Reicha, Jarvis Brockhuis, Douglas Salisbury and Robert Struble. The visitation for Leona will be held on Friday, March 15, from 5pm to 7:30pm, with the Rosary to be prayed at 7:30pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 16 at 12:00 noon, with the family greeting friends at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Father Ben Rexroat will serve as celebrant. Leona was a devoted member of St. Francis Church and requested any memorial contributions be directed to the St. Francis Capitol Building Campaign, 1025 S. Union St., TVC, or The Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St., TVC. The family would like to give special thanks to Deacon Rene Hoenscheid and Fred Szczepanski for their visits, songs and prayers, and to the entire staff and volunteers of Munson Hospice House for their extraordinary care and loving kindness shown to Leona, her family and friends. May God bless you and watch over you. You are all truly angels on earth. Please share your condolences and memories of Leona with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Leona Salisbury

July 6, 1929 - March 8, 2019