Iona Medus"Polo"LeBlanc

A wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, friend, neighbor and patient, she was born July 6, 1938, and died Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. She was 72, a native of Smoke Bend and a 52-year resident of Baton Rouge. She was a graduate of Donaldsonville High School and Spencer Business College. She was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Tuesday, Dec. 21, was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visiting at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2021 Stuart Ave., Wednesday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Gerald Burns. Burial in Greenoaks Memorial Park. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John "Buck" LeBlanc Sr.; six children, John LeBlanc Jr. and wife Lou, Julie Ourso and husband Richard, Jamie Hebert and husband Eric, Jill Brady and husband Scott, Janet Banch and husband Todd, and Jerry LeBlanc and wife Wendy. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Britni Dawson, John LeBlanc III, Kyle Ourso, Mark Ourso, Michael Wicker, Ryan Wicker, Chase Hebert, Connor Brady, Jack Brady, Bo Branch, Claire Branch, Abigail LeBlanc, Amelia LeBlanc and Alyse LeBlanc; and sister, Yvonne Markey. Preceded in death by her parents, George and Amy Medus; and brother, Bernard Medus. Pallbearers will be all nine of her grandsons. The family wishes to give a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Stephen Gordon for being with Polo on her journey every step of the way; you went above and beyond just being a doctor; your advice, guidance, and most importantly, your love and friendship will be with us always. A special thanks to Dr. William Russell who saw her through to the end with so much care and compassion. Thanks to all our family and friends for your love, care, concern and prayers, you have all truly warmed our broken hearts. She will be missed but never forgotten as she leaves us with so much of her. Her request is that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.