Leona L. Kelbel, age 84 years, of Bloom City, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born on July 31, 1939, in Valley, Wisconsin to Percy & Lodemia (Berg) Revels. There she grew up farming, graduating Hillsboro High School, & enjoying nature with her siblings.
One summer day, Leona was mowing lawn when the love of her life on the neighboring farm caught her eye. The rest was history. Leona was united in marriage to Kenneth Kelbel on February 26, 1960, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they raised three children. Leona enjoyed nothing more than being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Leona was a proud homemaker and matriarch of her family. Following Kenneth’s retirement after 35 years of service, they built their kingdom in Bloom City where they resided for their golden years.
Leona was a remarkable baker and cook. She loved sharing her knowledge of baking and cooking with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed hunting where she harvested her bucks. Opening deer season weekends are still sacred in the Kelbel household. She enjoyed having her loved ones stay the night before to cook them their waffles in the morning. It was her biggest treat to have her great-granddaughter Dilynn to share waffles with for breakfast on opening morning. It was her way of sharing good luck. You could often find Leona and Kenneth outside playing horseshoes, doing yardwork, deer or squirrel hunting, fishing, cutting wood, morel hunting, berry picking, “bumming around”, hosting a shindig and overall, just enjoying their little slice of heaven together on their UTV or Jeep. They enjoyed many vacations as well, especially out west. If you would see one, the other was not far away as they were always together.
Leona was best known for her quick-wit, tenacity, courage, humor, empathy, resiliency, wisdom, and most of all love for her family. She was always there for her loved ones with an unbiased ear, an open mind and a cold beer for you.
Survivors include her children, Lorna Wincek, Lisa Kelbel (Avon Hooker) and Ken (Wendy) Kelbel; grandchildren, Michael (Ana) Kelbel, Kyel (Kristin) Kelbel, Sheenah Fitzpatrick and Ryan (Alexandra) Ott; and great-grandchildren, Lane Kelbel and Dilynn Kelbel; siblings, Vivan Machovec, Arlene Johnson, Lucy Scott.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth; siblings, Bernie Revels, Mayva Haugh, and James Revels; Son-in-law Scott Wincek.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 12 noon at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with Rev. Alan Tripp officiating. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery, near West Lima. A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro.
Leona’s family would like to thank Agrace Hospice for the excellent care & compassion during her time in their care.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com
