Leona M. (Schweninger) Villanueva

Leona Schweninger is a writer, artist, and former educator whose work explores resilience, community, and the magic found in everyday life. A lifelong storyteller and advocate for compassion, she draws inspiration from the coastal landscapes she now calls home, as well as her deep family roots stretching across Europe and Texas. When she's not writing or creating whimsical mixed-media art, Leona can be found walking by the harbor with her husband Dennie and their two beloved dogs, Molly and Betty White.
Leona Schweninger's Family is from various parts of Eastern Europe as German Immigrants. Leona's mother, Irma Feller, was born in Odessa, Ukraine. Her family escaped Russia during the Holodomor and made their way to Germany. They were required to work the lands until they were given an ability to come to America. Leona's Father, Adam Schweninger, was born in Hungary near the border of Yugoslavia. He was placed on a cattle train with his family and sent to Germany to work the fields. When Germany was liberated, he studied to be a Master Tailor. He came to the United States as a tourist but met Irma at a German Club Dance in a town in Illinois. Leona has 4 biological siblings, Ed, Adam, Angela and Ed and 1 foster sibling, Shannon. She has 3 sons, Derik, Reson and Frank. They married and had children. Derik married Caressa. They gave birth to Caleb and Sophie. Reese co-habited with Susan. They gave birth to Rebecca. Frank married Victoria. They gave birth to Sarah and Paige.