Leona Petra Larson

Leona Larson, 97, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, at the Care and Comfort Home in Havre, Mont., due to natural causes. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael O'Hearn officiating. The family requests memorials in Leona's name be made to the First Lutheran Church or to the Care and Comfort Home. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Memories and condolences for the family can be made at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Leona was born in Havre on Oct. 28, 1916, to Jewel and Lena (Mikkelson) Jenson. Her mother passed away soon after she was born. Leona was raised in Kremlin, Mont., attending school in Kremlin and Havre, graduating from high school in Hibbing, Minn. She attended Great Falls Community College for a year. Leona married George A. Larson on April 17, 1935, in Havre. To this union, two daughters were born. The couple made their home in Havre, raising their daughters there. Leona worked at the Sacred Heart Hospital in the laundry, and she cleaned rooms at the Old Shanty. She also worked as a cook at the senior center for many years.

Leona enjoyed flower gardening, volunteering at the senior center, crocheting, crafts, baking and cooking. She loved seeing her great-great-grandchildren. Leona was a selfless woman, always thinking of others first and always keeping busy. She was a genuine lady who had a great sense of humor, but also had a serious side who saw the good in everyone.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; her daughters, Georgia Stremcha and Shirley Newbauer; her great-grandson, Ben; and her son-in-law, Robert Newbauer.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Allen Newbauer and Robert (Debra) Newbauer of Havre, Lisa Newbauer and Karen (Alvin) Buchholz of Sun Prairie, Mont., Andrea (Frank) Kruse of Great Falls, Patti Newbauer (Don Seagraves) of Havre; Julie (Doug) O'Brien of Anchorage, Alaska, Laurie Barrett of Wasilla, Alaska, and Kathy (Brad) Thompson of Belgrade, Mont .; 19 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; her son-in-law Ed Stremcha of Helena, Mont .; and numerous nieces and nephews.