1915
Otilja
2014
Otilja "Tola" Lebioda
April 28, 1915 — April 28, 2014
Otilja “Tola” Lebioda, 99, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Manor in Blue Springs, Missouri on Monday, April 28, 2014 surrounded by her two loving daughters.
She was born April 28, 1915 in Poland, the daughter Mr. and Mrs. Gibakla. She was the youngest of eight children and the only one to immigrate to the United States along with her eight year old daughter Christina after being interned in a German work camp during WW II. She married Feliks Lebioda in 1952, who preceded her in death in 1982. In 1985 she was fortunate enough to travel back to Poland with her youngest daughter, Liz to see her relatives after a 45 year absence. During the month long visit, she was able to attend two family weddings. Although it was a trip of a lifetime, the contrast between the then Communist Poland and America made Tola glad she came to America. She often spoke about how much she loved America.
Tola worked very hard all of her life and traveled back and forth to work by foot which may partially explain her longevity. She was a party girl at heart who loved to laugh and dance. She seldom met anyone she didn’t like or couldn’t win over with her infectious smile. Survivors include her daughter Christina Howerton-Miller and husband Robert of Oak Grove, Missouri, her daughter Frances (Liz) Lebioda Barber and her husband Keith of Independence, Missouri as well as two grandchildren Tasha Jay of Martinez, Georgia and Bruce Howerton of Independence, Missouri, four step-grandchildren, two great grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren. She will be missed by many and forever be in their hearts.
Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, Missouri followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)
She was born April 28, 1915 in Poland, the daughter Mr. and Mrs. Gibakla. She was the youngest of eight children and the only one to immigrate to the United States along with her eight year old daughter Christina after being interned in a German work camp during WW II. She married Feliks Lebioda in 1952, who preceded her in death in 1982. In 1985 she was fortunate enough to travel back to Poland with her youngest daughter, Liz to see her relatives after a 45 year absence. During the month long visit, she was able to attend two family weddings. Although it was a trip of a lifetime, the contrast between the then Communist Poland and America made Tola glad she came to America. She often spoke about how much she loved America.
Tola worked very hard all of her life and traveled back and forth to work by foot which may partially explain her longevity. She was a party girl at heart who loved to laugh and dance. She seldom met anyone she didn’t like or couldn’t win over with her infectious smile. Survivors include her daughter Christina Howerton-Miller and husband Robert of Oak Grove, Missouri, her daughter Frances (Liz) Lebioda Barber and her husband Keith of Independence, Missouri as well as two grandchildren Tasha Jay of Martinez, Georgia and Bruce Howerton of Independence, Missouri, four step-grandchildren, two great grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren. She will be missed by many and forever be in their hearts.
Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, Missouri followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Otilja "Tola" Lebioda, please visit our flower store.
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