She was raised by Mr. & Mrs. Chris Tussey.
She attended and graduated from Lincoln Teachers College in 1951. After graduation she worked at Russell Stover’s for a brief period.
She met Robert L. Furtwangler in Emerald, Nebraska at the Sunset Party House in May of 1952. They had a brief courtship and become engaged Memorial Day in 1952. She married Robert on October 24, 1952 on Friday at Southminster United Brethren Evangelical Church (16th & Otoe St.) Lincoln, Nebraska.
Leona is survived by her three sons and daughter, Douglas R. (Jane) Furtwangler of Beaver Crossing, Colleen M. (Frank) Goebel of Lincoln, Gary L. Furtwangler of Waverly, Larry R. Furtwangler and Marcee Brownlee of Douglas; six grandchildren, Heith Furtwangler, A.J. (Roxie) Furtwangler of Belton, Missouri, Jacob and Haley Furtwangler and Tyler and Courtney Goebel all of Lincoln; five great grandchildren, Chaes Furtwangler of Columbia, Missouri, Adrianna of Lincoln, Brayden and Symphanie Furtwangler of Belton, Missouri and Tristan Horsley of Scotia; one great great grandchild, Izabella of Lincoln; nephew, John Gotchall and one niece Kathy Knobbe both of Lincoln.
She is preceded in death by, her husband, Robert L. Furtwangler; grandson, Nolan Furtwangler; parents, Arthur Gotchall and Delia DeVries; foster parents, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Tussey, Elsie Tussey, Norman Tussey, and Bill Tussey; two brothers, John and Bob Gotchall and a sister, Mary.
A funeral service will be held 10:00 am Monday, July 19, 2021 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th Street, Lincoln. Memorials to the family. Condolences to www.lincolnfh.com.
