Josephine "Dude/Jo" Leko

Josephine “Dude/Jo” Leko, age 92 of Sauk Centre, formerly of Saint Paul, entered her eternal home on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024. Josephine passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, after a brief battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. A visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church. 

A second Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 8 at the Church of St. Pascal Baylon with Rev. John Mitchell officiating. Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Maplewood. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Josephine Ann Bussiere was born on March 19th, 1931 in Saint Paul to Henry and Augusta (Feider) Bussiere, and was nicknamed Dude by her parents as a child. She was raised in Saint Paul and attended Harding High School where she met Thomas Leko Sr. They were married on October 3rd, 1953 and were blessed with seven children. While raising their children, the family took several cross-country camping trips looking for someplace to call home upon retirement. They retired to Sauk Centre, MN in 1980, where they built their retirement home on Sauk Lake. Throughout her life, Josephine worked at the First National Bank prior to being married and White Castle to help pay for their retirement home, in addition to raising their children. Upon retirement, Josephine soon found herself busier than ever volunteering at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church and Holy Family School, participating in Christian Mothers, BeFriender Ministry, Senior Adult Ministry, the Singing Nuns, working out at Snap Fitness with her friends, going out to eat with family and friends, and making the most out of each and every day.

Josephine was truly one of a kind. She will forever be remembered for her unwavering faith, love of life, sense of adventure, her humor, and most of all, her kindness and unconditional love for her family and friends. Quick to lend a helping hand or listening ear, Josephine was a wonderful friend who gracefully accepted everyone where they were at. She treasured her family, loved all things Christmas, baking cookies, Christmas lights, and decorating her house like Santa’s workshop.

Survivors include her children, Karen L. Leko, Peter (Karen M.) Leko, Mary (Jerome/Buddo) Schmitz, Joanne Leko, John (Tammy) Leko, and Michael (Elaine) Leko; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, along with their families; sister, Audrey Hjelmgren; and many nieces and nephews.

Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Leko Sr; sons, Thomas Leko Jr. and Paul Leko; granddaughter, Peggy (Leko) Spatafore; special friend, Douglas Humble; parents; and siblings, Marie Sausen, Lorraine “Sis” Andrews, Bernice Hall, Bernadine Flaherty, Gregory Bussiere, and Edward Bussiere.

A special thank you to Josephine’s wonderful caregivers, especially those from alternative senior care and hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you pay it forward with kindness to those around you in memory of Josephine.