Leona M. Briggs

Share a memory Livestream Print obituary

Leona Margaret Briggs, 93, of Lincoln, NE, was born on January 30, 1932, to William George and Meta Hattie Louise (Scheer) Horstmann at the Norfolk Lutheran Hospital in Norfolk, NE. She passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, in Lincoln.

Leona worked hard all her life as a teacher, as well as working at Russell Stovers and Square D. Muffler plant, Brunswick factory, and Lincoln Public Schools. Family was very important to Leona, as she attended as many family get together as possible. She married Max Briggs on May 29, 1971, in Lincoln. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, serving on the funeral committee and was a part of the quilters club. She was an avid card player and enjoyed working in her garden. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

Leona is survived by three stepdaughters, Judy and Roger Pehrson, Jane Kilburn, and Kristie Briggs; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 11 great great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband Max Chauncey Briggs; parents; sisters Elsie Irene Kumm, Meta Emma Clara, Helen Doerr, and Hannah Hinton; brother Willard Paul Horstmann.

Funeral service: 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Faith Lutheran Church, 8701 Adams St. Burial in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Bazile Mills, NE at 3:30 PM. Livestream available at faithlincoln.org.

Visitation one hour prior to service at the church.

Memorials in lieu of flowers to Faith Lutheran Church.

Livestream online at roperandsons.com/livestream

Share a memory Livestream Print obituary

Services

January13

Visitation

9:00 am CST

Faith Lutheran Church

8701 Adams Street, Lincoln, NE 68507

January13

Funeral Service

10:00 am CST

Faith Lutheran Church

8701 Adams Street, Lincoln, NE 68507

Watch Livestream

Share a memory Livestream Print obituary

Share a Memory or Condolence

January 13, 2026

I am so thankful for Aunt Leona. My dad, Randy Johnson, told me so many times how much Leona meant to him. I remember one snowy Easter when I was young, we spent Easter with her. We decided to have an Easter Egg hunt in her basement. Too cold and snowy to have it outside. Though we tried, somehow we missed an egg. Several weeks later she called us and told us how bad it smelled. She was not happy! lol. I also remember her black walnut banana bread. I’ve had a love for it ever since she made it for us. I also remember the card games. Card Games always meant family get togethers. Unfortunately, I could not travel to be there, but my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

– C. Robyn Johnson Harris

January 13, 2026

I remember going to “Aunt” Leona’s as a kid, when we lived in Lincoln. I never really knew the family connection (1st cousin 2x removed) until much later in life, and we had reconnected several years ago. She was always active, and great to be around and talk with, or go to lunch or dinner when we visited. She will be missed, but she’s probably partying in heaven with Jesus!

– Bob & Cindy Jensen

January 9, 2026

Dear Aunt Leona, we will always cherish our memories of you. You were fun to travel with, play cards, take adventures and provide laughs. You were the rock that kept the family together and informed. You used to laugh when I said that our family had telephone, telegraph and tell a Leona because you would always let everyone know when something good, bad, or sad happened in the family. I still have my “Coco” the clown doll and all his clothes that you made for him when I was a little boy. You were an amazing sewer. You broke so many needles making my heavy terrycloth bathrobe. HA! You cussed me for days for picking out the fabric. You always remembered Chet and my birthdays. We loved your letters. We will miss you! Now you can play cards with mom, Alvin and the rest of the family and laugh when you shoot the moon!

– Bob Johnson and Chet Mast

January 9, 2026

I loved Leona so much and miss her deeply. We were part of the same circle at Faith Lutheran Church, where we worked together on the altar guild committee. Through that shared service, we became very close friends. Even after I moved to Minnesota twenty years ago, every trip back to Lincoln began with a call to Leona. She was always the first person I reached out to, and many times I stayed in her home. She had a special gift for making people feel welcomed, loved, and at home. Leona was especially happy when we could gather with our church friends to play cards. Those times were filled with laughter, friendship, and joy, and they are memories I will always treasure. My last visit with her this past spring is especially dear to my heart. We went to Faith Lutheran together so I could see the new sanctuary, and we worshipped side by side. After church, she drove me to get a Runza for lunch, and of course, we spent time playing cards with our church friends once again. Shortly after that visit, Leona suffered a stroke, making that day an even more precious gift. I am heartbroken that Leona is no longer with us here on earth, but I find comfort in knowing she is now with Jesus. My faith assures me that this is not goodbye forever, and that one day we will see each other again in heaven. Until then, I will carry her kindness, friendship, and love with me always.