Leona Landrigan

Leona Ann Klein, daughter of William and Caroline (Goebel) Klein, was born November 12, 1912 in Waverly, South Dakota, where she grew up and attended school in Waverly. She graduated from Waverly High School. She continued her education at the Notre Dame Junior College in Mitchell, South Dakota, where she earned her Teachers Certificate. On June 21, 1941, she was united in marriage to Robert Landrigan. The couple lived in Herman, where they raised their family and Leona taught piano lessons out of her home. After her children were older, Leona continued her education and received her B.A. in education from Moorhead State University. During that same time, she also taught at the Donnelly School, where she also served as Principal for a few years. After the Donnelly School closed, she taught at the Morris Elementary School until retiring. Leona and Bob lived in Morris until Bob died on July 23, 2004, when she moved to Wayzata and then Perham.



Leona was an active member of the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, where she belonged to the Befrienders, Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her entire family.



Leona died on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at the Thomas House II in Perham, Minnesota, having lived to reach the age of 93 years.



She is survived by one son: Robert (Elaine) Landrigan of Park Rapids; two daughters: Mary (Gene) Helsene of Minnetonka and Linda (Louis) Baldanza of Montvale, NJ; six grandchildren: Christopher Helsene, Kim Landrigan, Brian Landrigan, Charles Baldanza, Alayna Baldanza and Kate Baldanza; four great-grandchildren: Nicholas Helsene, Louis Baldanza, Haily Landrigan and Owen Landrigan; one sister: Martha Johnson of Watertown and nieces and nephews: Carolyn Rose, Jim Johnson and Paul Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents and three sisters: Veronica, Florence and Marie.



Pallbearers for the service are: Christopher Helsene, Charles Baldanza, Alayna Baldanza, Katie Baldanza, Brian Landrigan and Kimberly Landrigan. Josh Fischer will serve as pianist and song leader for the service. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.