She was born December 31, 1925 in St. Rose to Theodore and Gertrude (Kampwerth) Schrage; they preceded her in death

Also preceded in death by her father-in-law Herman Varel, mother-in-law Wilhelmina Varel, a sister-in-law Lydia Varel, and a brother-in-law Walter Varel

She married John Varel, her husband of 50 years, on June 20, 1953 at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose; he survives in St. Rose

Also surviving are sons John (Angie) Varel of Waluku, Hawaii, Allan (Geri) Varel of Damiansville, Joe (Sharon) Varel of Troy, and Ken (Inger) Varel of Columbia, IL

Daughters Trudy (Joe) Strieker of Collinsville and Dianne (Mark) Voss of Highland

Leora’s pride and joy were her 11 Grandchildren
Jesse, and Kyle and Keith Varel, Michael and Brandon Varel, Nathanial, Lauren, Hannah, and Erika Varel, Nicole and Matthew Voss

Brothers Leander (Delores) Schrage of St. Rose, Alex (Judy) Schrage of St. Rose, and Ted (Marie) Schrage of Pocahontas

A Sister Bernice (George) Wellen of Highland

Sisters-in-law Alvina (Carl) Sparlin of Greenville and Dotty (Pete) Wellinghoff of Breese

A brother-in-law Clarence Varel of Bartelso

Leora was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church, Altar Sodality, and Ladies Choir, Daughters of Isabella Precious Blood Circle 718, and Catholic Fraternal Life

She was employed for many years as a cook at St. Rose School

Funeral Mass Monday, November 3, 2003 at 2 PM at St. Rose Catholic Church, St. Rose, IL with Fr. Edward Schaefer officiating. Interment will follow in St. Rose Cemetery, St. Rose, IL

Visitation will be Sunday, November 2, 2003 from 3 to 9 PM and again on Monday, November 3, 2003 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese

Daughters of Isabella will pray the rosary at 7 PM Sunday, November 2, 2003 at the Funeral Home