Leona (Ganske) Trushenski passed away May 14, 2018 in Alexandria MN at her home in Nelson Gables a few days after suffering a stroke. Her goal for several years was to live to 100 and she met that goal in January. She was born January 9, 1918 in Carrington ND to August and Freida (Sonnabend) Ganske.
Ten months later her pregnant mother died in the deadly flu epidemic. For the next 7 years Leone lived with her Aunt Ida and Uncle John Kerr in Villard MN. She reunited with her father, brother (Gordon), step-mother (Sophie) and step sister (Vannie) in Montevideo MN where she graduated in 1936.
After graduation she worked in a hospital in Chicago for a few years until moving to St Cloud MN. She met Paul Trushenski while living in St Cloud. Paul’s enjoyment of dancing, hunting and fishing were particular attractions.
They married November 12, 1944 while Paul was serving in the Navy. While living in St. Cloud her first two children (Scott and Jane) were born. Shortly after moving to Alexandria, MN in 1950 her third child (Tony) was born.
She liked to sew and made prom dresses and other clothing for her family. Her braided rugs have been used for more than 30 years. She made choir gowns for Zion Lutheran Church and organized a group to make quilts for those in need.
Leone was noted for her cooking and baking but she was especially proud of her lefse making skills. She was active in Zion’s Evening Guild and Altar Guild for 50+ years. She loved card games especially bridge.
She and Paul were active in the same 500 Club for over 50 years. She was always proud of the produce from her garden and often canned 100 quarts in the summer. Leone was an administrative assistant for the State of Minnesota, Emergency Services Division from 1961 until retirement in 1982.
She loved her lake home of 32 years on Lake Carlos because it was a natural gathering point for her 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She looked forward to traveling to new locations with friends and family. She even traveled to Egypt in 1991.
From 2000-2011 she enjoyed the fellowship of the residents of the Senator Condominiums. Following a broken leg in 2012 she moved to Nelson Gables where she enjoyed the outstanding staff of that facility. Leone is preceded in death by her parents, step sister, brother, husband of 64 years, great grandchild Nathaniel Trushenski and nearly all of her 85 cousins.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Scott (Sharon) Trushenski, Jane (John) Floden and Tony (Catherine) Trushenski; her four grandchildren (Todd (Pam) Trushenski, Matt (Tami) Floden, Ryan (Julie) Trushenski and Amy Floden) She also has 7 surviving great grandchildren (Adam Trushenski, Connor Floden, Anna Trushenski, Kaitlyn Trushenski, Emma Trushenski, Dillon Floden and Blake Trushenski). Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2018, 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Memorial service will be held on Monday, May 21, 2018, 11:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria.
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