Leona Eileen (Babe) Weed passed peacefully at her daughter's home in Aurora, Nebraska on Sunday morning, July 26th, 2020.
Leona was born in Alliance, Nebraska on October 18, 1931 to Francis J. and Ella C. (Church) Krebs. Being the youngest of five children, she earned her nickname, Babe. Growing up, Babe attended St. Agnes Academy, and then Alliance High School, graduating with the class of 1949.
While on a walk home from the city pool one summer day, she was introduced to Everett Weed by their mutual friend Mr. Bernie Girard. Babe and Everett were united in marriage on August 26, 1950 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, in Alliance. Babe began her career working for the telephone company, Northwestern Bell, as an operator in 1950. She and Everett traveled and worked throughout the Midwest in Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. In 1961, the couple welcomed their only child, Jana Kay, and settled back in Alliance to put down roots and build their forever home.
Babe was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Telephone Pioneers, Legion Auxiliary, and the Eagles Auxiliary. She loved her fellow AHS classmates of 1949, and enjoyed helping organize their reunions. In her retirement, she continued serving her community in several volunteer roles. Babe served lunches at St. Agnes Academy, helped deliver Meals on Wheels, volunteered at Box Butte General Hospital and the Carnegie Arts Center.
Babe had an extraordinary amount of energy which she bestowed upon her family. Known as "Grandma Babe" to her two granddaughters, Megan and Maloree, she helped shape their world as they grew up, providing them with infinite love and memories made around the Sunday table. In Everett's declining years, she provided him comfort and countless hours of tireless commitment.
Babe is survived by her daughter, Jana (Mark) VanHousen, granddaughters Megan (Curran) Vetter and Maloree (Joshua) Johnson, and seven great grandchildren: Madelynn, Haylee, Lucille, Phoebe, Henrik, Micheal, and Clara, all of Aurora, Nebraska. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty and Don Crowder of Hebron, NE and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her siblings, Don, Dick, Dorothy and Darlene and her son-in-law, Micheal G. Schefcik.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Meals on Wheels, the Arbor Day Foundation, or any charity of the donor's choice.
A wake service will be Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. A memorial service will be Wednesday, August 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church. Father Tim Stoner will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.