Obituary: Leona "Jo" K (Josheff) Kinder - Class of 1946

MONONA - Leona "Jo" K. Kinder, age 85, of Monona, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Janesville. She was born on Aug. 24, 1928, in Madison, the daughter of Peter and Mary (Dimoff) Josheff. Jo married Chester Kinder, the love of her life, on May 23, 1948, in Madison. He preceded her in death in 1989. She was a lifelong resident of Madison, and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1946. Jo was a member of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for 41 years, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was a member of the Philoptochos. For the past 17 years, she was a member of St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church, where her son is the priest. Jo was Baba to everyone. Her family was the most important part of her life. She is survived by her children, Mary (Wayne) Blue, John "Jake" (Sharleen) Kinder, Jody (Ed) Adam and Father Patrick (Vanessa) Kinder; grandchildren, Sam (Caitlin) Blue, Katie Blue (fiancé, Mark), Cassie (Bruce) Perkins, JP (Meg) Kinder, Saraina Adam, Chet Adam and Anthony Kinder; great-grandchildren, Ava Perkins, Andy Perkins, Summer Kinder and Jack Kinder; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, Jo was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Boris and Chris; and a sister, Frances. Funeral services will be held at ST. IGNATIUS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 2124 Shafer Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, March 6, 2014, with the Most Rev. Father Patrick Kinder and Bishop Anthony Michaels presiding. A burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Triasagion Service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, and on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church. The family would like to thank the staff of Mercy Hospital in Janesville for their expert and compassionate care of mom and us during her last days.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 5, 2014. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).