Leader Publications

DeMOTTE, Ind. – Leona Lauraitis, 90, of DeMotte, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at Clarian-Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, Ind.

On July 8, 1939, in Chicago, Ill., Leona married Benjamin V. Lauraitis, who passed away Feb. 23, 2001.

Leona received her music education from the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago. She was a pianist/ teacher.

Leona and Ben were founder-owners of Sandy Pines Golf Course, 1973-2000.

She was a member of Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church, Wheatfield, Ind.

She is survived by; two daughters, Leona (Richard) Boezeman of Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Dowagiac, Christine (Tom) Cavinder of Athens, Ga.; two sons, James (Wanda) Lauraitis of Poway, Calif., and Gerald (Donna) Lauraitis of Lafayette; and several grandchildren, including Rick Boezeman, Laura Boezeman-Farias and Michelle Boezeman, all of Las Vegas, and formerly of Dowagiac.

Visitation was on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Jackson Funeral Service of DeMotte. Funeral Mass was on Friday, Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church of Wheatfield with Father Stephen Snoich officiating. Internment will follow at Sorrowful Mother Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church.