Leona Louise Klausman

On June 13, 2023, some of the joy left our world with the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, and friend, Leona Louise Klausman. Leona (Lee) was born on November 16, 1941, in Chicago, IL to Leona (Ludes) and Paul O’Connor, who preceded her in death. Her early years were spent in Chicago, before the family moved to Park Forest. After graduating from the College of St. Francis, she met and married her lifelong love, William Michael (Mike) Klausman. They lived and worked at Boys Town before making Dyer, IN their family home. Leona lost her partner with Mike’s passing in 2017. Leona was happiest when she was helping others, and she spent her teaching career working with young children, teaching reading, and enjoying every minute of watching them blossom. She volunteered at the Dyer Historical Society, and she spent many hours at her parish in the choir and the Food Pantry there.

Her family was the center of her life. Her beloved son, Mark; his wife, Debbie; and their son, Nicholas meant the world to her, and their loving care helped ease her through her final days. She was also preceded in death by her aunt & uncle, Virginia (Ludes) and Joseph Zapf, who were like second parents to her, and by her cousin, Deborah Zapf. She is also survived by her cousin, Barbara (Zapf) Saczawa, her husband, Matthew, and Barbara’s children, Jeffrey, her godson, and Karen, as well as Karen’s children.

Her friends were many: choirmates, fellow teachers, neighbors, and art & music buddies (The Art Whores). Her impish smile and her twinkling eyes lit up the room and will be sorely missed. While she loved the arts, she was also a steadfast White Sox and Notre Dame fan. For 43 years, she dedicated herself to teaching learning disabled elementary school children. She had spent many years working for Sauk View Elementary School. She loved her garden and saw the beauty in things. She was the best of us and always will be.

A Public Visitation for Leona will be held Monday, June 19, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307. A Funeral Mass will occur Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Church, 440 Joliet Street, Dyer, IN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Klausman family.