Leona Ann (Lee) Schwartze, 93, Jefferson City, passed away Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at Americare Westbrook Terrace in Jefferson City.
She was born Oct. 7, 1932, to the late William John and Clara Catherine (Zimmer) Buschmann in Vienna.
She attended grade school at Visitation Catholic School and graduated from Vienna High School in 1950 as Valedictorian of her senior class.
Following graduation Leona worked in St. Louis for the Christian Board of Publications and later the General Electric Supply Corporation.
She was united in marriage to Jerome H. “Jerry” Schwartze Oct. 14, 1952, at Visitation Catholic Church in Vienna.
A resident of Jefferson City since 1953, Leona worked in the office of the Oberman Manufacturing Company.
She was active in the scouting program, serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and for many years as a Girl Scout Troop Leader as well as serving on the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Leona was a recipient of the St. Anne Award.
After her children were grown, she was employed as an administrative assistant in the Missouri House of Representatives for 10 years and in the Missouri Senate for 15 years prior to her retirement in 1993.
Leona was a charter member of St. Joseph Cathedral and an officer of the Women’s Association of the church, a member of St. Joseph Cathedral Council No. 12992 Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, a member and past president of the Helias High School Board of Directors, a member and supervisor of the funeral lunch program at the Cathedral, a member of the Maries County and the Osage County Historical Societies, a member of the St. Joseph Cathedral prayer line and a devoted participant at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Auxiliary and was a volunteer at the gift shop at St. Mary’s Health Center. Leona was also a volunteer with Capital City Friends of Amtrak.
For 15 years, she worked at the polls as a Cole County election judge.
Leona enjoyed traveling with her husband and their friends throughout the world. She and her husband eventually reached their goal of visiting all 50 states. She was an avid reader, enjoyed growing flowers, playing cards, researching family genealogy and watching her three granddaughters play volleyball and soccer at Bishop Miege Catholic High School.
Leona was preceded in death by parents, William and Clara; sisters, Rosalie and Marcie; and brothers, Leonard and Bernard.
She is survived by husband, Jerome; son, Deacon John Schwartze and wife Carol of Jefferson City; daughters, Barbara Redd of Lake Quivera, Kan. and Donna Schwartze of Kansas City; granddaughters, Lauren Franklin and husband Stephen of Independence, Leslie Brophy and husband George of Prairie Village, Kan. and Leah Starks of Kansas City; great-grandchildren, Laney and Cameron Franklin; brothers, Lawrence Buschman and wife Dorothy of Vienna and William Buschmann and wife Diane of Taos; sisters, Bernice Veasman of Brinktown, Teresa Neuner of Jefferson City, Mary Helton and husband Dorsey of Jefferson City and Ann Bax and husband Dennis of Jefferson City; and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Nov. 14 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki, V.G., Rev. Stephen Jones and Rev. Louis Nelen officiating.
Entombment was at Resurrection Catholic Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions suggested to Mass Intentions, Cathedral of St. Joseph Foundation, Helias High School Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
