Leona “Faye” Hughes Struble

Leona “Faye” Hughes Struble

January 9, 1939-June 11, 2025

Faye grew up in a small town called Whiting Iowa. Her early years were spent in town around her parents’ creamery station and public gathering space. This is where she learned to play cards and games.  Later they moved to the farm just outside of Whiting where they grew chickens and farmed.

She graduated from Whiting High School in 1957.  While in school she enjoyed music competitions. She was an accomplished soprano and won a few state competitions.  Her sister Darlene usually accompanied her on the piano during competitions.

After high school she went to work in Sioux City, IA working in a secretarial position for Capital. She liked attending the popular Winter Dance Party tours.

She met and married Jerry Struble and later they had a daughter Karen while stationed in San Francisco.  Then a son, Kenny was born back in Onawa, Ia.  She and Jerry divorced several years later, and Faye became a single parent to her kids.  After her dad passed away her mom came to live with her and help take care of the kids while Faye worked.

She later worked as a secretary at Peter Kiewit & Sons.  She said she rode the elevator with Warren Buffet many days but had no idea who he was until later.  A few years later she was offered a position at Diamond Die company as office manager and eventually became part owner.  After her mother passed, her sister Darlene came to live in Omaha with her.  Faye took care of her until Darlene passed.

When Faye finally decided to retire, she only retired for 6 months before she started working at Central States Health & Life Co of Omaha as a telephone operator. She got to work with her daughter Karen and daughter-in-law, Marcia.  She finally retired at 70 and went to live with Karen and her family.  She lived with them for 3 1/2 years before entering Parson’s House Assisted Living.

The card game of canasta was a favorite all her life.  She was known to play into the wee hours with many an opponent and played even after she was in Parson’s House Assisted Living.  She was very competitive and very sneaky with her strategy. She had a quick wit, a great sense of humor and liked to zing a few people when the opportunity arose.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rosa Leona Johnson Hughes and Elias Eugene Hughes; her brother, Wayne Hughes and his wife Pat; sister, Delores Swenson and husband Arlyn; and her sister, Darlene Hughes.

She leaves behind her daughter, Karen and her husband Keith Hennings; son, Kenny and his wife, Marcia; grandchildren: Jessica and Jace Howell, Tommy Struble, Jordan and her husband Ryan Sutter and daughter, Sarah and Zach Soliday; great- grandchildren: Julian and Lennon Sutter and Scottie Soliday; nieces and nephews: Steve and Lisa Swenson, Phil and Lanelle Swenson and Keith and Julie Swenson, Dennis Hughes, David and Joy Hughes, Diane Hughes Andreasen and Doug Hughes; lots of great- nieces nephews; and her friends.

THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 5:00-7:00PM at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha.

Interment will be at Harrison Cemetery outside of Whiting, IA near the old farm.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com