Leona M. Popadick-Borger

Kenosha – Leona M. Popadick-Borger, 85, formerly of Racine, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009, at Brookside Care Center in Kenosha.

Leona was born in Milwaukee on February 15, 1924, to the late Clarence and Isabelle (nee: Brown) Kaltenbach. She lived all of her life in Racine until moving to Kenosha in 1970. Leona attended Washington Jr. High and Horlick High School.

On June 30, 1945, she was united in marriage with her first love and father of her children, William Popadick, who died unexpectedly at the young age of 47 on January 13, 1966. On June 13, 1970, she married Henry Borger, who preceded her in death on August 18, 1991.

For many years, Leona and Will owned / operated the Delta Drive-In Restaurant on Sheridan Road. Later in life, she was a successful sales rep. for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Leona was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Women's League, and the Women of the Moose in Kenosha. Among her interests, she enjoyed travelling, bowling and tending to her pets. Most importantly, Leona offered a lifetime of positive support and endless love to her children and grandchildren, cherishing all the special times they shared together.

Surviving are her children David (Georgia) Wagner, Linda (Jerry) Jardina both of Racine, and Bill (Sandy) Padek of Kenosha; grandchildren, Jennifer (Tobin) Spolar of Racine; Michael (Veronica) Jardina of Elmhurst, IL; Steven (Kristin) Jardina and Stephani (Jamie) Schaefer, both of Chandler, AZ; Becki (Allen) Beggs and Lisa (Dan) Huckemeyer, both of Valencia, CA; Steven (Wende) Padek of Carmel, IN; and Dennis (Amanda) Padek of Round Lake Beach, IL; great-grandchildren, Makenzie and Bennett Spolar; Claudia Jardina; Sydney, Madelyn, Colton and Logan Jardina; Caden and Luke Schaefer; Ashlee, Zachary and Stephanee Beggs; Mara and Ella Padek; and Tyler and Treyson Huckemeyer; brothers, Robert (Mary)Kaltenbach and Bill Kaltenbach; sister, Marian (Don) Rorek; special family members, Chris and Sarah Haase and family; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husbands, Leona was preceded in death by her brother, James Kaltenbach.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 1, 2009, at 10 a.m. in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. and in the church on Monday from 9:30-10 a.m. In memory of Leona, memorials to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – “Sydney’s Squad” have been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Ernesto Buencamino and the entire staff of Brookside Care Center for the compassionate care and understanding offered in our time of need.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory
4600 County Line Rd., Racine 262-552-9000