Leokadia (Lydia) Nowinski, age 98, formerly of New London, WI, passed away in her sleep, in Appleton, WI, on March 12, 2014.

Leokadia was born on February 16, 1916, outside of Moscow, Russia during WWI to Polish parents. She was raised in Vilejka, Poland. She was married and widowed during WWII. Leaving behind a daughter, Lelia, her parents, and siblings, she was taken by the Russian soldiers to a German forced labor camp where she met her husband Adam. With Adam she immigrated to Devils Lake, ND in 1951. In 1957 they moved to New London, WI. She worked many jobs then retired from Hillshire Farms.

She loved her family, and always made time for them. She loved to play with her great-grandchildren. Whether she was sitting under a kitchen table, hanging Christmas lights, having pillow fights, tea parties, or riding on a golf cart, she always made time to play. She was amazed by the newest technologies, Skype and face time were her favorites to keep in touch with family that was far away. Leokadia enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Center in New London. She looked forward to playing bingo and cards, getting excited on the days that she won. If she wasn’t at the Senior Center, she was out in her garden, tending to her flowers, working hours on end, making sure there were no weeds. Never sitting idol. She had a lot of friends over the years, and she enjoyed all of them. The last few years of her life, while living alone, she had some very good friends that would help her out all the time. Giving her rides to church every Sunday, shoving snow, baking her cookies or just some conversation. You know who you are, and we are very grateful for your friendships to her. She was a member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London.

Leokadia is survived by three of her daughters: Stefania (Robert) Danke, Hortonville, WI; Teresa Draheim, Medina, WI;, Aggie (Brian) Walsh, Appleton, WI; twelve grandchildren: Melissa Danke, Auburn, KY; Keith (Jill) Danke, Greenville, WI; Michael (Kathi) Danke, Greenville, WI; Katie (Francisco) Castillo, Hortonville, WI; Tracy (Dave Halloway) Draheim, Medina, WI; Dan (Erin) Draheim, Medina, WI; Anthony (fiancee Kim Steppert) Walsh, Appleton, WI; Tanya (David) Carter, San Diego, CA; Andrew (special friend Jade) Walsh, Appleton, WI; Alex (Kara) Walsh, Neenah, WI and two in Vilejka, Belarus, and fourteen great-grandchildren, one in Vilejka, Belarus. She is preceded in death by her husband Adam, her parents, 3 siblings, daughter Lelia and two grandchildren, in Vilejka, Belarus, and son-in-law Dennis Draheim. Leokadia loved God! She always went to church. She always kept God close to her heart, always thanking him for her wonderful family and friends, and for the 98 years she had on this earth. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her zest for life and her free spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Mom, Babcia, we love you and always will. God must have needed you now!

A special thank you to: The staff at Affinity Wound Care, the staff at Affinity Hospice, and a very special thank you to Fr. Arul Joseph Irudamoney from Most Precious Blood Church in New London, for all your visits and prayers. The Mass of Christian Burial for Leokadia will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, New London with Fr. Arul Joseph Irudamoney officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Cline & Hanson Funeral Home, New London is assisting the family with arrangements. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com