Leonard J. Olsufka

Leonard J. Olsufka, 80, of St. Paul, departed this life peacefully at home on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki and Tom Ryan will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Tuesday at the church from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. vigil service and Knights of Columbus rosary. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Olsufka was born on May 4, 1929, on a farm near St. Paul, the son of Stanley and Belle (Roebuck) Olsufka. He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie of St. Paul; two daughters, Mary Olszowka of Bellevue and Kathy Olsufka and Jim Shiers of Kearney; six sons and five daughters-in-law, Steve and Theresa Olsufka and Mike and Brenda Olsufka, all of St. Paul, John and Julie Olsufka of Grand Island, Dan and Lisa Olsufka of Jacksonville, NC, Paul and Barbara Olsufka of Marquette, and David Olsufka of Beatrice; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Rose Marie Brown of Massena, NY, Fran and Leo Buhrman of St. Paul, Betty Noller of Salina, KS and Loretta Rudolf of Hastings; and one brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Dianne Olsufka of New Carrollton, MD. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Leonard was baptized at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and attended District 21 rural school. At an early age he took over the family farming operation and later farmed in the Farwell area until his retirement. He was united in marriage to Rose Marie Zalewski on May 15, 1950, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell. Through the years, he was a very active member of St. Anthony’s parish, serving as a parish council member, a lector, and a charter member of the men’s choir. He also was an accomplished carpenter, volunteering his skills to assist in the remodeling of both St. Anthony’s Church and School. Since his retirement and moving to St. Paul he was once again a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. He was active in the community, serving on the Farwell School Board, Rural Fire Department and was a member of Farwell’s morning coffee club. He was also a lifelong member and past Grand Knight of Sts. Peter & Paul Knights of Columbus Council No. 1918. Leonard enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also loved playing cards, reading western novels and watching western movies. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ellen Zalewski and Delores Wojtalewicz; two brothers, Raymond and Clifford Olsufka; and a great-granddaughter, Alizea Marie Olsufka. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials be given to Sts. Peter & Paul New Parish Hall Fund, Mosaic of Beatrice, Knights of Columbus TV Mass Fund or the Catholic Radio Fund.