By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Lela Cloud of Sioux City passed away on Saturday, December 1st at 90-years old. But her life, full of struggle and success, is proof that there is bravery in all of us.
When Margo Chesebro was 12-years old she heard a woman named Lela Cloud speak.
"I was just astounded and I thought she was probably the bravest person I had ever known," said Chesebro.
And here's why:
Born in 1922 in the Czech Republic, Lela Cloud's childhood was relatively uneventful until Nazi Germany took over 16 years later.
Though those times were dark, there were a few moments of light.
"She had never been so happy in her whole life than when she saw an American tank come into the village," remembered Lela's son-in-law Brian Miller.
Made even more wonderful by a U.S. serviceman by the name of Leonard Cloud. The two fell in love under the most hopeless of situations. They would eventually marry.
Miller said, "By that time the communism had taken over in the Czech Republic, so he was forced to leave the country and she had to stay behind."
The constant tug of freedom's opportunities and separation from her husband were too much for her to stand. Lela would try to escape twice on foot before teaming up with a mechanic and his family and making history.
They made international headlines in 1952 when the group busted through the Czech Republic boundary fence in an armored tank, ran into West Germany and eventually into their freedom.
"She made her mind up that she was going to be free or she was going to die trying," said Miller.
Her husband, Leonard was from Sioux City so the two made a life and a family here.
Lela became a public speaker, sharing her story with the people of Siouxland.
"Her message was very simple. Freedom is priceless and once you lose it, you're probably not going to get it back," said Miller.
It's a message that Margo Chesebro and no doubt, so many others have never forgotten.
Lela suffered from Alzheimer's Disease during the last few years of her life, and she died peacefully at her nursing home.
Her life and her story now left behind to teach all of us about courage, love and the value of freedom.
