Leia D. Falkenberg

November 14, 1927 - February 17, 2021

Leia D. Falkenberg, age 93 of Monroe, passed away at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at ProMedica Monroe regional Hospital. She had been seriously ill since suffering a stroke six days prior. Leia was born on November 14, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan of Italian immigrants, the late Aldo V. and Amalia M. (Minisinni) DiGiusto. She lived in Italy from age 3 to age 7 then moved back to Detroit where she attended Boyton Annex and Hunter Elementary Schools and Commerce High School. On July 21, 1951, Leia married her friend and sweetheart, Russel G. Falkenberg of Carleton, MI at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dearborn, MI. They resided in Allen Park for 18 years and had three children before moving to Monroe. They purchased an old farmhouse and spent the next two years remodeling it with her husband, children and parents. Russ preceded her in death on March 24, 2007. Leia was an active member of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church where she volunteered in many capacities. She also volunteered at Mercy Memorial Hospital, the Monroe Thrift Shop, and as a teacher’s aide at Raisinville Elementary School. Leia is survived by her children: Susan (Robert) Servis of Brooklyn, MI, Michael (Cyndi) Falkenberg of Carleton, MI, and Karl (Denise) Falkenberg of Plymouth, MI; eight grandchildren: Adam Servis, Alana (Bobby) Haldeman, Dustin Falkenberg, Serena Falkenberg, Ava Falkenberg, Matthew Falkenberg, Benjamin Konrad, and Grace Konrad; and ten “grand dogs”. In addition to her parents and husband, Leia is also preceded in death by a brother, Gino DiGiusto, and beloved cousin, Lucy Persello. Family and friends may visit from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bacarella Funeral Home. Visitors are reminded to follow facial covering protocol. For health and safety of family members, funeral services will be held privately at 2 p.m. Livestream viewing will be available by going to the funeral home website a few minutes before the funeral. Click on Leia’s picture and then Photo & Video. Rev. D. Lee Cullen, Pastor of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church will officiate followed by private burial at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle. For anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Leia, “The Pie Lady”, the family suggests supporting Holy Ghost Lutheran Church Ladies Aid or its Altar Guild. The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Leia’s friends and neighbors. The visits and random acts of kindness made it possible for their mother to remain in the comfort of her own home.