Leone M. (Schuh) Mckenney

Leone M. McKenney “Nana”, 109, De Pere, passed away peacefully at Rennes Nursing Home on Saturday July 9, 2011 with her family by her side. Leone was born on May 15, 1902 to Antone and Annie Mary (Miller) Schuh in Elcho, WI. In June, 1922, Leone married her husband of George R. McKenney, in Elcho, WI. They had been married 51 years when he died in 1971. Leone was a member of the first graduating class of Elcho Public High School in 1919. She was a 1921 graduate from Oshkosh Teachers College. After her graduation, she went on to teach at Marshfield Public Schools. In 1946, Leone and her husband relocated from Elcho to De Pere, WI. She worked as a Salesclerk at H.C. Prange in Green Bay. In 1952, Leone began her 20 year career teaching 5th grade at Chilton Public Schools. Leone was a dedicated teacher who loved her job and developed many strong bonds with each of her students. Every year on Mother’s Day, she would take the time to hand write a personal note to the mother of each of her students, as she believed “there was something special about each and every one of them”. In 1972, she retired from teaching at age 70. Leone stayed in contact with many of her former students and their families through letters and visits over the years. While working in Chilton, she made many lifelong friends, many of whom continued to visit her as recently as her 109th birthday. After retirement, Leone wintered in Panama City Beach, FL where she loved spending time with family and friends. Nana always loved to keep busy and sometimes was difficult to keep up with. She had many hobbies and interests – she loved “winning” at cards, playing bingo, crocheting afghans, solving crossword puzzles, reading, and writing letters. She also enjoyed baking and always keeping her cookie jar full. She was quite the story teller and appreciated sharing her memories with family and friends. Most of all, Nana was a devoted Packer fan. She loved Brett Favre and never would think of missing a Packer game on TV. One of the highlights of her life was going to her very first Packer game at Lambeau Field with her grandson, Troy, at 103 years old. She loved all the attention it brought her through her many interviews for television, newspapers and radio stations across the country. She even got her own story in Sports Illustrated. Nana made many new friends with all the “hype” as she would say, and was even able to reconnect with some old ones, including a few former students. Leone is survived by her two daughters: Janet Schabell (Warren) and Patricia Moore (Robert), both of De Pere; grandchildren: Mike Scheer, Susan Austin, Mary Kate DallaValle, Jane Hokans (Carl), Thomas Moore (Cyndi), Elizabeth Pronold (George), and David Moore (Phyllis); great-grandchildren: Nea Brumbaugh (Stephen), Meghan Wendt (Troy), Lisa Hokans (Greg), Michael DallaValle, Molly Gordon (Jason), Sam Pronold, and MacKenzie Moore; great, great-grandchildren: Ashley and Jakob Urbaniak; Brittany and Lizzie Wendt; Carly Rose Hokans; Scott, Luke, and Jack Gordon; Ava Pronold; and Kyle Brumbaugh; niece godchild, Betty Lontkowski; extended family, Mike and Sue DallaValle; her “kindred spirit,” Dorothy Pronold ; and very special friend and favorite “date,” Marc Van Ells. She is preceeded in death by her parents; her husband, George; her brothers: John, Ray, Tony, Frank and Cliff Schuh; her sisters: Mayme, Etta, Kate and Alice; and her sons-in-law: Warren Schabell and Robert Moore. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 14, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, with a Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Friday, July 15th beginning at 10:00 am and then process to church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan St., De Pere, with Fr. Richard Getchel officiating. The Rite of Committal and interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 16th in Elcho Cemetery, 1/2 mile east of Hwy 45, Elcho, WI. Fr. Jeremiah Worman will officiate. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. A memorial fund has established for children’s books for the Brown County Library. The family would like to thank her friend doctor, Dr. Bruce Fenster, her many friends and caregivers at Renaissance Assisted Living (special “thank you” to Susie Mary), which was her home for over 10 years; and also Rennes Nursing Home and Unity Hospice. Thank you all for your wonderful care of our Nana – she loved you all so much.