Leona Pocta

Leona Pocta, 68, Bismarck, formerly of Braddock, died peacefully August 20, 2003 in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Rick Fossum officiating. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday at Eastgate Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Leona was born May 28, 1935 on the family farm north of Braddock, the eighth child of thirteen children born to Emil and Katherina Preszler. She attended a rural country school. Prior to getting married she lived in Steele and worked at the bank as a bookkeeper. Leona married Benjamin Pocta on April 24, 1955. They farmed near Braddock and retired in 1997. They moved to Bismarck in 2001. While her husband farmed and was a rural mail carrier, Leona was busy as a homemaker and mom; baking, gardening, sewing, and being involved with their three daughters' school and church activities, 4-H, sports, and camps. Leona was a 4-H leader and Sunday School teacher and was a member of the United Methodist Women, Letter Carriers Auxiliary and homemakers club. She was currently a member of McCabe United Methodist Church. Some of the happiest times for Leona were the births of her grandchildren. Being a part of their lives brought her great pleasure and she looked forward to each and every moment with them. She wore the title of "Grandma" with love. Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Marlys and Dr. Eldon Becker, Pierre, SD, DeEtta and Jim Heid, Bismarck, and Cheryl and Jim Gaebel, Eden Prairie, MN; seven grandchildren: Brandt and BryAnn Becker, Allyson, Jameson and Cassidy Heid, and Shawn and Kelly Gaebel; four brothers, Herman Preszler, Bismarck, Herbert Preszler, Braddock, Lenhard Preszler, Huntington Beach, CA, and Marvin Preszler, Mandan; six sisters, Viola Haase, Concord, CA, Alice Pocta, Braddock, Donna Reamann, Grants Pass, OR, Delores Hammond, Poulsbo, WA, Shirley Wu, Old Tappan, NJ, and Bernice Weiser, Hazelton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, her parents, one brother, Raymond Preszler and one sister, Irene Leno.We love you, MomWe love you, Grandma

Leona Pocta

May 28, 1935 - August 20, 2003