With great sadness we announce that Leona Violet Gawalko (nee Klein) passed away peacefully on Feb 4, 2025 at Creekside Landing Care Home, Vernon, BC. She was 93 years.

Leona was born in Webster, Alberta in 1931 to Augusta and Fredrick Klein and was the second youngest of 13 children.  Leona married Thomas Gawalko in 1950 and they started a family with 3 children.  They lived in many areas of Alberta as Dad worked on the oilrigs before moving to Dawson Creek BC in 1959. In 1967 the family moved to Vernon, BC where they spent many happy years and made many good friends.  Thomas passed away in 1980 and Mom remained in Vernon until her passing.

Mom was a loving, supportive mother who instilled kindness and honesty in her children.  She loved to dance and joined the Vernon Square Dance club, she was competitive and enjoyed playing cards, bowling and took up golfing later in life.  Mom loved the outdoors, going for a drive through the countryside or a walk on the beach. Her favorite place to travel was Vancouver Island to visit her daughter Delores, son Lyle and their families.

Leona is predeceased by her mother and father and 11 siblings, also her husband Thomas Gawalko (1980); and her son-in-law Hugo Bongers (1987).  She is survived by her brother Ernie Klein of Dawson Creek.   She leaves behind her daughters Debra Bongers (Jim Pepper) of Vernon; Delores Fraser (Jim) of Victoria; and son Lyle Gawalko (Lynne Atwood) of Cobble Hill as well as 3 grand children Nicoli (Lance); Angela and Katherine and 2 great grand children Cameron and Madison.

The family would like to thank Dr. Barnard and Creekside Landing Care Home in Vernon for their care and support for mom.

The family will have a memorial at a later date.

Thank you to Dignity Memorial

 

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com