Leona Emily Mihal, 99, formerly of Cedar Rapids died peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.  Services will be held Monday, March 9, 2020 at Brosh Chapel, Cedar Rapids at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow in Blain Cemetery.  Visitation will be at 10:00 am Monday at Brosh Chapel.

Leona was born January 27, 1921 in Cedar Rapids the daughter of Frank and Callie (Pirkl) Benish.  Leona married Peter Mihal June 8, 1938.  Leona lived on a farm near Swisher until 1956 when she moved to Cedar Rapids and retired from Alliant Energy after 21 years. Leona loved to bake prize winning Kolaches, Egg Noodles and hand embroidered many quilts.  She loved dancing, bowling, watching her sons and grandsons wrestle, watching Hawkeye Boys Basketball and watching her favorite baseball team, the Cardinals.  Her greatest joy was when she got visits from family.  She was a member of Swisher American Legion for 59 years and Fraternal Order of Eagles for 52 years.

Leona is survived by her children Betty Sheets of Pensacola, Florida, Gene (Sue Anne) Mihal of Hiawatha and Richard (Sue) Mihal of Ocean Springs, MS, 11 Grands, 19 Great Grands and 11 Great Great Grands.

Her 11 Grandchildren: Barbara (Jim) Budde, Joani (Tim) Mabry, Patricia (Steve) Wenzel, Pamm (Brian) Kueter, Jack (Donna) Sheets, Todd (Lynda) Sheets, Kelly Mihal, Scott (Holly) Mihal, Heath Mihal, Jay (Alina) Mihal and Andrea (Greg) Patino

Her 19 Great Grandchildren: Kayla (Patrick) Richard and Madison Budde, Tyler and Kami Mabry, Aaron (Heather) Braumann, Kari (Adam) Mellerup, Amye (Mike) Valant, Cathye (Jon) Redmond, Bobye (Kurt) Manning, Natalie and Madelyn Sheets, Todd Sheets, Jr., Tanner and Cael Mihal, Elijah Mihal, Gabriella, Dominic, Isabella, Alexandra Patino.

And her 11 Great Great Grandchildren: PJ and Brody Richard, Ronan Mabry Elyse Braumann, Parker and Kenden Valant, James Manning, Raelynn, Halle, Penelope and Zayne Redmond.

Leona also had stepfamily: Sally (Steve) Strah, Ben (Ara) Schwartz and Skyelin and Sophie and John (Elisa) Perron and John III.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, her son Kenneth Mihal, Grandchildren Barbara Budde, Todd Sheets, Sr., Heath Mihal and three brothers Edwin, Leonard and Robert Benish.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Camp Courageous.