Berdena Mae Leitschuck

Berdena Mae Leitschuck, 83, of Johnson Lake, NE died on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island, NE with Pastor Justin Bangert officiating. Burial will follow in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-8 PM at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island, NE. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Jude hospital or to the family to place a memorial bench in memory of Berdena at Johnson Lake.

She was born on August 31, 1942, in York, NE to Rupert and Bernice (Wittmack) Naber. She grew up in Waco, NE and went to school in Utica, NE graduating with the class of 1960. Berdena moved to Grand Island in 1972 and was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Leitschuck on May 23, 1973, at the First United Methodist Church in Grand Island.

Berdena was employed by Lincoln Drug and Wholesale for 17 years and later for McDonalds on State St. for eight years. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Berdena and Jerry enjoyed being snowbirds in Texas, fishing, camping, and boating together before Jerry’s passing in 2009. Her greatest enjoyment in life was her family, especially her grandkids and great grandkids.

Survivors include her sons and daughter-in-law: Scott (Tammy) Leitschuck of Grand Island and Duane Leitschuck of Johnson Lake; grandchildren: Johnathan Leitschuck of Cairo, NE and Alyssa Leitschuck of Grand Island; great grandson, Jamie Reeves; stepchildren and stepchildren-in-law: Terry (Linda); Mike (Colleen), Sheryl, Tony (Lisa), Rhonda (Mark); brother, Lloyd (Kay) Naber; 3 fur babies; and many more grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Rupert and Bernice Naber; husband, Jerry Leitschuck; stepson, Gary Leitschuck; stepdaughter, Billie Henderson; granddaughter: Dawn Michelle Leitschuck; great granddaughter Carley Johnson; and nephew Kurt Naber.