Leona Ann Schwartze

Leona Ann (Lee) Schwartze, 93, of Jefferson City, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, at Americare Westbrook Terrace in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Leona was born on October 7, 1932, in Vienna, Missouri, a daughter of the late William John and Clara Catherine (Zimmer) Buschmann.

Leona attended grade school at Visitation Catholic School. In 1950, she graduated from Vienna High School and was named Valedictorian of her senior class. Following graduation Leona worked in St. Louis for Christian Board of Publications and later the General Electric Supply Corporation.

On October 4, 1952, Leona was united in marriage at Visitation Catholic Church in Vienna to Jerome H. “Jerry” Schwartze, who survives at the home.

A resident of Jefferson City since 1953, Leona worked in the office of the Oberman Manufacturing Company. She was active in the scouting program, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and for many years as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She also served on the Catholic Committee on Scouting. She was a recipient of the St. Anne Award. After her children were grown, Leona was employed as an administrative assistant in the Missouri House of Representatives for ten years and in the Missouri Senate for fifteen years prior to her retirement in 1993.

She was a charter member of St. Joseph Cathedral and an officer of the Women’s Association of the church, a member of St. Joseph Cathedral Council No. 12992 Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, a member and past president of the Helias High School Board of Directors, a member and supervisor of the funeral lunch program at the Cathedral, a member of the Maries County and the Osage County Historical Societies, and a member of the St. Joseph Cathedral prayer line, and a devoted participant at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. She was a member of St. Mary’s Auxiliary and was a volunteer at the Gift Shop at St. Mary’s Health Center. She also was a volunteer with Capital City Friends of Amtrak. For 15 years, Leona worked at the polls as a Cole County Election Judge.

Leona enjoyed traveling with her husband and their friends throughout the world. She and her husband eventually reached their goal of visiting all 50 states. She was an avid reader, enjoyed growing flowers, playing cards, researching family genealogy, and watching her three granddaughters play volleyball and soccer at Bishop Miege Catholic High School.

She is survived by one son, Deacon John (Carol) Schwartze, Jefferson City, Missouri; two daughters, Barbara Redd, Lake Quivera, Kansas, and Donna Schwartze, Kansas City, Missouri; three granddaughters, Lauren (Stephen) Franklin, Independence, Missouri, Leslie (George) Brophy, Prairie Village, Kansas, and Leah Starks, Kansas City, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Laney and Cameron Franklin; two brothers, Lawrence (Dorothy) Buschmann, Vienna, Missouri and William (Diane) Buschmann, Taos, Missouri; four sisters, Bernice Veasman, Brinktown, Missouri; Teresa Neuner, Jefferson City, Missouri, Mary (Dorsey) Helton, Jefferson City, Missouri, and Ann (Dennis) Bax, Jefferson City, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, her father, her sisters Rosalie and Marcie, and her brothers, Leonard and Bernard.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Thursday, November 13^th at Trimble Funeral Homes in Jefferson City.  A prayer service will be held at 3:15p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 14^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki, V.G. as celebrant and the Rev. Stephen Jones and the Rev. Louis Nelen concelebrants.

Entombment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Mausoleum with a reception luncheon after at Cana Hall (undercroft of the cathedral).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Mass Intentions, Cathedral of St. Joseph Foundation, Helias High School Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.  trimblefunerals.com