Leona Joyce Dahlke (Swita)

Leona J. Dahlke, 84, Mosinee, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, and great-grandmother, with family by her side, was welcomed into the loving arms of our heavenly Father on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Acorn Hill Senior Living Community, Mosinee.

She was born April 19, 1937, in Wausau, the daughter of the late Charles and Lucille (Schaufer) Swita. She married Joseph Dahlke on July 20, 1957, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Emmet. He died Nov. 16, 2011.

They operated a family dairy farm in Halder, WI. Leona was a dedicated housewife and mother. She was an active member of St. Patrick Parish, serving her famous potato salad recipe during the Lenten season fish-fry. Her loving heart took care of many lives as a caretaker at the Elder Haus in Mosinee, and she ended her working chapter as a cashier at Lee’s Piggly Wiggly. Leona enjoyed playing bingo, cooking, baking, and playing many hours of cards with her friends and family. During her time at Acorn Hill she often looked forward to Wii bowling and maintaining her championship title.

A special thanks to the many healthacare providers caring for her over the years, to the staff at Acorn Hill, Interim Home Health and Hospice, and Lakeland Care Inc. You all hold a special place in our hearts.

Survivors include her four children, Todd (Beth) Dahlke, Mosinee, Tammy Dresser, Verona, Wis., Troy (Kiki) Dahlke, Florida, and Tyler Dahlke, Mosinee; her grandchildren, Laura (Michael) Steingraber, Weston, Andrea (Alex) Brickheimer, Sandford, N.C., Dustin (Melissa) Dresser, Costa Rica, Ashley (Damian) Goyeche, Spain, Keith Dresser, Verona, Wis., Dakota Dahlke, Florida, and Travis Dahlke, Florida; great-grandchildren, Aislyn, Dylan, Maverick and Matthew; a brother, Raymond (Judith) Swita, Mosinee; and two sisters, Barbara Miller, Mosinee, and Gail (Dennis) Bauman, Wausau. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Terri, and a brother-in-law, Richard Miller.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Halder. The Rev. Alan Wierzba will officiate. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Halder. Please join family and friends for lunch following at the Community Shelter in Halder. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. Friday until time of services at the church. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.