1920
Leona
2014
Leona Classen
March 15, 1920 — May 14, 2014
The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Leona Classen, formerly of Alberta and Morris, MN will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Federated Church in Morris, with Reverend Jennifer Amy-Dressler officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. There will be a private family burial in Frog Lake Cemetery, near Alberta.
Leona Elizabeth Simpson, was born March 15, 1920 to Leslie John and Lillian Elizabeth (Money) Simpson in Hankinson, North Dakota. She received her education in Elbow Lake and Madison, graduating in 1938. Following her schooling, she attended one year of Teacher's Training in Madison. Leona began her career as an educator in 1939 at a country school in Lac Qui Parle County, teaching all eight grades and taught in elementary schools in Windom, New Ulm, Cincinnati, Fargo and Chokio, where she also served as principal. Leona was a member of the UMM Education Faculty in Morris from 1970 until her retirement in 1985. She had an exciting teaching career for 35 years.
Leona was united in marriage to Harold P. Classen on December 9, 1945 in the Congregational Church in Madison, MN. This union was blessed with five children: David, Donna, Ione, Ronald and Thomas. Leona and Harold were able to share 62 years of marriage before Harold's death in 2007.
Leona's church was always very important to her and wherever she lived she was involved in Sunday school and church activities. After her retirement from the UMM, she started a storytelling group, the Saga Spinners in Morris. Storytelling was always a hobby of hers and she shared stories for many years with many organizations often using puppets. Her life should begin with "Once Upon A Time ----."
Leona enjoyed her roles of mother, grandmother and being a great-grandmother so much. She had a strong faith with Jesus Christ her Savior, Redeemer. Her comment in times of crisis was always "pray about it". She also enjoyed family activities, knitting, sewing, baking, square dancing, reading, attending Elder Hostiles, camping with family and as always, storytelling.
Leona died peacefully on May 14, 2014 in Willmar, having reached the age of 94 years. She was currently a resident of Copperleaf Senior Living Community Center in Willmar, MN.
She is survived by her children: David (Sharon) Classen of Kimball, Donna (Lynn) Aikens of Martinsburg, WV, Ione (Donn) Norling of Willmar and Ronald Classen of Seattle, WA; nine grandchildren: Lance, Tonya, Kelly, Aaryn, Amy, Joy, Laura, Molly and Jennifer; nine great-grandchildren, Emily, Reese, Keenan, Owen, Liam, Jamie, Lexie, Andrew and Grace; one brother: James (Joyce) Simpson of Seattle, WA and sisters-in-law: Anne Simpson of St. Paul, Lois (Val) Roggenbuck of Odessa, MN and Patricia (Len) Falk of Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son: Thomas; her parents; sister: Eloise (John) Longman and brothers: Leslie (Julia) Simpson and Rev. Robert Simpson.
Leona Elizabeth Simpson, was born March 15, 1920 to Leslie John and Lillian Elizabeth (Money) Simpson in Hankinson, North Dakota. She received her education in Elbow Lake and Madison, graduating in 1938. Following her schooling, she attended one year of Teacher's Training in Madison. Leona began her career as an educator in 1939 at a country school in Lac Qui Parle County, teaching all eight grades and taught in elementary schools in Windom, New Ulm, Cincinnati, Fargo and Chokio, where she also served as principal. Leona was a member of the UMM Education Faculty in Morris from 1970 until her retirement in 1985. She had an exciting teaching career for 35 years.
Leona was united in marriage to Harold P. Classen on December 9, 1945 in the Congregational Church in Madison, MN. This union was blessed with five children: David, Donna, Ione, Ronald and Thomas. Leona and Harold were able to share 62 years of marriage before Harold's death in 2007.
Leona's church was always very important to her and wherever she lived she was involved in Sunday school and church activities. After her retirement from the UMM, she started a storytelling group, the Saga Spinners in Morris. Storytelling was always a hobby of hers and she shared stories for many years with many organizations often using puppets. Her life should begin with "Once Upon A Time ----."
Leona enjoyed her roles of mother, grandmother and being a great-grandmother so much. She had a strong faith with Jesus Christ her Savior, Redeemer. Her comment in times of crisis was always "pray about it". She also enjoyed family activities, knitting, sewing, baking, square dancing, reading, attending Elder Hostiles, camping with family and as always, storytelling.
Leona died peacefully on May 14, 2014 in Willmar, having reached the age of 94 years. She was currently a resident of Copperleaf Senior Living Community Center in Willmar, MN.
She is survived by her children: David (Sharon) Classen of Kimball, Donna (Lynn) Aikens of Martinsburg, WV, Ione (Donn) Norling of Willmar and Ronald Classen of Seattle, WA; nine grandchildren: Lance, Tonya, Kelly, Aaryn, Amy, Joy, Laura, Molly and Jennifer; nine great-grandchildren, Emily, Reese, Keenan, Owen, Liam, Jamie, Lexie, Andrew and Grace; one brother: James (Joyce) Simpson of Seattle, WA and sisters-in-law: Anne Simpson of St. Paul, Lois (Val) Roggenbuck of Odessa, MN and Patricia (Len) Falk of Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son: Thomas; her parents; sister: Eloise (John) Longman and brothers: Leslie (Julia) Simpson and Rev. Robert Simpson.
Funeral Service
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