Leona Francis Chovanetz, age 98, of Hallettsville, Texas passed away from this life into the arms of her Lord on Thursday, August 30, 2018. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Leona was born March 9, 1920 to Justina Chaloupka Pesek and James Joe Pesek in Sweet Home, Texas. She attended school until the eighth grade with her siblings and worked on the farm and picked cotton. She married Edwin Chovanetz on September 16, 1940. They lived in Sugarland, Texas for eleven years where Leona worked in a cannery and as a housewife. Edwin worked for the sugar company, Imperial Sugar. They had four boys, William (Billy), Eddie, Barry, and Bernard who died at about one year old because of a heart condition. Leona and Edwin moved back to Hallettsville in the early 1950s' to own and operate City Bakery. Leona decorated cakes at the bakery in addition to running the household. They worked in the bakery for about 35 years and then raised cattle until Edwin's death in 2007. She was dedicated to her family, relatives and the community. Leona loved her sisters dearly and assisted them whenever they were in need especially with Annie Mae who had cerebral palsy. Leona taught all those who touched her life the true meaning of love, selflessness, honor, hard work, sacrifice, compassion, family, and faith which were all traits of the Greatest Generation. Leona was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the KJZT society, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. She was a supporting member of the Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department.
She is survived by her two sons, Eddie and his wife Tanya, Barry and his wife Nelaida; grandchildren Koda and his wife Rachel, Miyuki, Kate and her husband Peter Crews, Aaron and his wife Corey, Sean; as well as great granddaughter Marion and great grandsons Bryce and Landon.
Leona is preceded in death by her parents Justina and Joe Pesek, her husband, Edwin Chovanetz, two sons, Billy & wife Earline Chovanetz and Bernard Chovanetz, three sisters Pauline Najvar, Annie Mae Pesek, and Lorene Spaniel, and her brother Jerome Pesek and three brothers who died at infancy.

Funeral Mass Service : 10 am, Friday September 7, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm, Thursday September 6, 2017 at Kubena Funeral Home; with Rosary starting at 7 pm. Pallbearers : Koda Chovanetz, Sean Chovanetz, Aaron Chovanetz, Henry DeLaRosa, Fred Chovanetz, Dan Pesek, and Jim Pesek. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters . Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Donor's choice. Entombment: Sacred Heart Catholic Mausoleum.