Leona Mae (Simons) Bernhard, 95
Leona Mae (Simons) Bernhard, 95, dearly loved mother and grandmother, passed away at her home in Fortine, the morning of July 12, 2007, one day before her 96th birthday. Leona was born July 13, 1911, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Henry and Sena Brininger. As an infant, she traveled by train with her mother and two siblings to Devil Lake, N.D., where she grew up and attended area schools.
On Dec. 2, 1932, Leona married Roy Simons; to this union four children were born. In 1946, the family loaded up the old Chevy truck and car and made the long move to Lakeside.
Leona fell in love with Montana and never wanted to go back to live in North Dakota because she didn't like those terrible North Dakota blizzards. While living in the little log house in the woods at Lakeside, Mom grew a beautiful vegetable garden and flowers which were watered daily with water hauled in barrels from Stoner Creek.
After living in the beautiful trees, Mom decided to try her hand at Christmas tree cutting, which she thoroughly enjoyed and was one of the best. She cut trees for many years and always said, 'It's not like work when you love what your doing.' She also worked with her husband Roy doing logging. When her son Kenny had his logging camps, she was his camp cook. She was a wonderful cook. The lumberjacks would praise her for the delicious meals she made them.
Mom was a born again Christian with a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Knowing that it eases the pain we feel. Mom attended the Fortine Community Church.
On Feb. 14, 1977, her husband, Roy, passed away. A year later Leona moved to Kalispell, where she resided for 25 years.
She married Cecil Bernhard in Kalispell. He passed away in 1999 and then Leona moved to Fortine where she had lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Lenore and Keith Burgess.
Leona was a very loving and generous mother, grandmother and friend with unconditional love, and we loved her even more. She will be missed so much. There will be a huge void in our lives but we know she is rejoicing in heaven with the loved ones who have gone on before.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and one brother; her husband, Roy; and son, Kenny Simons, in 1977; her husband, Cecil Bernhard, in 1999; daughter, Mavis Thornton, in June 2007; and grandsons, Dale Thornton, Talis Buck and Collin Thornton.
She is survived by her daughters, Lenore and husband, Keith Burgess, and Karen and husband, R.D. Mower, all of Fortine; sister, Doris lsaacs, of Kalispell; stepchildren, John and Kathy Bernhard, Laurence and Elaine Hauglum, and John Bernhard of Missoula, Gene and Lorraine Decker of Libby, and Bonnie Kalitchy of Kalispell. She is also survived by many grandchildren who were so very special to her; this includes four sets of five generations.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 16, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Visitation will from 9 a.m. until services. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.