Sister Leonella made her monastic profession in 1936 and earned her master’s degree in history from Creighton University in Omaha. Her 42-year teaching career included assignments in Prairie View, Charleston, Scranton, Altus, St. Vincent, Rogers, Subiaco, Tontitown, Clarksville, all in AR, and Pilot Grove, MO. She spent several years working as the monastery’s librarian and archivist. In 1999 she retired to spend her time as part of the prayer team.

Her cousin, Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB of Subiaco Abbey, presided at the funeral Mass.

She is survived by three brothers, Edwin Spanke of Schereville, IN, Theodore Spanke of Indianapolis, IN, and Francis Spanke of Overland Park, KS, and by her sisters in community.

The native of St. Francis, Texas made her monastic profession in 1955. For the past fifteen years she was director of maintenance and housekeeping at St. Scholastica Center. Previously, she was on staff at St. Joseph Home in No. Little Rock from 1958 until 1986, serving as the director of the orphanage’s girls’ department from 1958 to 1971. She earned a degree in music therapy and worked in nursing homes and the Booneville Development Center. She was the guitarist for monastery liturgies.

She is survived by five sisters, Mary Wieck and Lillian Friemel, both of Canyon, TX, Margaret Bertrand of Amarillo, TX, Sister Teresa Grabber, CCVI of San Antonio, TX and Bernice Grabber-Tintes of Belgrade,MN; four brothers, Bernard Grabber and Edward Grabber, both of Canyon, TX, John Grabber of Umbarger, TX, and Eugene Grabber of Garden City Beach, SC; and by her sisters in community.