Leona M. Wilson

Leona Mae Wilson, 88 of Bear River passed away on Monday, April 17, 2017 at the Heritage Manor Care Center in Chisholm.

Leona was born on December 1, 1928 in Bear River, the daughter of George and Mabel (Urdahl) Namchek. She grew up in Bear River, after high school she lived in California for a time before moving to Minneapolis where she worked at a bakery for years. She moved back to Bear River in 1965 and married Berton Anderson.  Leona drove school bus for 30 years for the Bigfork School, served as Bearville township clerk for 17 years, and was a longtime member of the Bear River Lutheran Church. Leona volunteered as a driver for meals on wheels program for many years. After Berton's death she later married  Floyd Wilson on September 19, 2000.  After retirement she especially liked to travel, and had the good fortune to go to many states, including Hawaii.   She also liked to fish, enjoyed feeding and watching birds, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and doing anything outdoors.

She is preceded in death by husbands, Berton Anderson (1990) and Floyd Wilson (2014); a daughter Sandy Barnett (2015) a grandson, Steven Ollila (2013); 3 brothers, George, Russell and James Namchek; 4 sisters, Margaret Hawkinson, Jeanette Pixley, Loretta Namchek and a baby in infancy.

She is survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; along with her  pet dog, Babe.

SERVICES : Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Bear River Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Gloria Hegg, synod minister will be the officiant.  Music will be provided by Carol Newman and Dan Bogren.  The casket bearers will be Aber Namchek, Jim Namchek,  Bill Namchek,Jim Anderson, Gary Enfield and Douglas Miller.  Honorary bearer will be Dan Wooster. Interment will be in the Bearville Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.