Obituary of Marion Elizabeth Leonaitis

Marion Elizabeth Simon Leonaitis has joined her husband in eternal peace on December 15, 2018 after her brave battle with Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

Marion was born June 12, 1922 to Joseph and Christina (Halfman) Simon in Stacyville, IA. She was educated in Stacyville graduating from Visitation Catholic school.  Marion then went on to complete nursing school at St. Joseph Mercy College of Nursing and serve in the U.S. Navy as a Registered Nurse during World War II being stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Seattle, WA.  Marion continued to work in nursing after being honorable discharged at the rank of Lieutenant(jg). After the war she took a position at the Wood V.A. hospital in Milwaukee, WI.

Marion met her devoted husband Stanley Leonaitis on a double date with her best friend from Stacyville. They were united in marriage in Waukegan at St. Bartholomew church on August 31, 1957.  They moved to North Chicago and Marion then worked for the Chicago V.A. hospital until her retirement.  Marion’s Catholic faith was a driving force in her daily life and her volunteer work.  She was especially loved for her scratch-made bacon buns which were always the first item to sell out at every St. Bartholomew’s Mothers Club bake sale.  She continued her volunteer work with local Right to Life groups after she retired. Marion was most recently a faithful parishioner of St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Old Mill Creek. Marion was an avid gardener who yearly put-up her fruits and vegetables, which she often shared with friends including her appreciative daughter-in-law.

Marion is survived by her son Michel (Jean) Leonaitis of Kenosha, WI.; her sisters, Helen Church, Arlene Hartnell, Jeanne Blake; one brother, Marvin Simon; and greatly loved sisters-in-law, Luann (Laverne) Simon, Darlene (Kenneth) Simon, and Charlotta (Wilbur) Simon, Joanne (Wally) Leonaitis, and Rita Leonaitis, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Christina Simon; her husband Stanley; one sister, Kathryn Simon; three brothers, Laverne Simon, Kenneth Simon and Wilbur Simon.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 19th from 4-7pm at Congdon Funeral Home located at 3012 Sheridan Rd, Zion, IL.

A Mass to celebrate her life will take place on Thursday, December 20th at 9:30am at Our Lady of Humility Church, 10655 W. Wadsworth Rd, Beach Park, IL. Interment will be at Ascension Catholic Cemetery.

Her family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Woike, the wonderful and caring staff at Rolling Hills Manor and Rolling Hills Place and Hartland for their care and compassion.