Leona Thomson Piche

Leona was born on April 11, 1929, in Beaver, Wis. She was the second eldest of 13 children born to the late Roman and Julia (Rupar) Dolata. She grew up with her family in Beaver.

On April 11, 1953, she married John Thomson in Pound, Wis. Leona and John moved to Niagara, where they ran Thomson’s Tavern and had eight children. John preceded her in death in 1964.

Leona sold the family business and married Clarence Piche on Aug. 2, 1972. Leona and Clarence had one child together and resided in Niagara. Clarence preceded her in death in November of 1994. Leona faithfully attended Mass at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara, where she was an active member of their women’s group for many years.

In her later years, Leona could usually be found walking her dog, working in her garden, canning the latest seasonal produce, or making homemade pasties and desserts in her kitchen.

Leona enjoyed many activities, but her greatest pleasure came from the time she spent with her family.

Saturday mornings her house was filled with her children and grandchildren, catching up on the week’s events over coffee and doughnuts. She looked forward to this and to any type of family gathering. She also very much cherished time spent watching her grandchildren participate in sports and activities. She loved being part of her family’s lives, and they loved being a part of hers.

She is survived by her sons, Joseph (Denise) Thomson, John (Julie Delaney) Thomson, and Roger Thomson; daughters, Sharon (Derald) Harder, Sandra (Bill Tromahauser) Thomson, Julie (Robert) Badini, Betty (Mike) Trindal, Priscilla (Randy) Van Straten, and Norma (Mark) Horne; brothers, Leroy (Sharon) Dolata and Daniel (Barbara) Dolata; sister, Antionette (Alfred) Dondelinger; 20 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Leona was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt to many.

In addition to her parents, Leona was preceded in death by her loving husbands, Jack and Clarence; four grandchildren, John Vivio, Shannon Thomson, Abe Ritzenhein, and Sheila Thomson; two brothers, Roman Jr. and Roger Dolata; six sisters, Dorothy Ziolkowski, Carolyn Irvine, Ramona Kabacinski, Rose Marie Buechler, Katheline Green, Delrita Key, and Linda Petersen; and her beloved dog Penny.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9 until 10:30 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 16, at Jacobs Funeral Home-Niagara Chapel in Niagara. Prayers will be recited at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m., at St Anthony Catholic Church, with Father Quinn Mann officiating.

The burial will take place in Niagara Cemetery in Niagara.

Leona’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Maryhill Manor for their exceptional care and compassion during her time with them.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Leona’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home-Niagara Chapel of Niagara to honor Leona’s legacy of life.