Leona R. Schmitt

Leona Schmitt, Bismarck, ND, formerly of Regent joined her Heavenly Father on February 7, 2013, at a Bismarck care center with her family by her side. A service of celebration will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 12, at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck 14th Street and Ave C with Rev. Wes Aardahl officiating. Burial will be at Sunny Slope Cemetery, Mott, ND, at 2:30 PM MT, with refreshments to follow at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mott. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Leona Ruth Jenner was born July 18, 1927, to Gottlieb and Elsie Graff Jenner at Ashley, ND. She graduated from Mott Public School in 1947. Leona worked for a time at a café in Mott. On June 29, 1947, she was united in marriage to Emanuel Schmitt at Christ Lutheran Church, Mott, ND. She spent the rest of her years dedicated to her family and to the farm she and Emanuel ran. Emanuel died on August 10, 2003. Leona entered the Waterford in 2006 and resided there until 2011 when she became a resident of Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center where she resided until her death. Leona was sweet, loving, and caring. Leona and Emanuel set an example of a loving marriage to all. She was a homemaker at heart and greatly enjoyed having guests in her home for coffee, meals, or extended visits. Her family loved sitting at her table, especially if it held kuchen, rolls, German hot potato salad, or homemade ice cream. Leona also loved caring for her grandchildren when they were little, and visiting them as they grew older. As Alzheimer's disease claimed her memory and ability to speak, she continued to brighten the lives of others by her spirit, her smiles, her opera singing voice and even her snores. Leona was very active in the church throughout her life. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Regent. Her favorite Bible verse was "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24. Forever grateful to God for her presence in their lives are her children, Adeline Loren Schwalbe, Mandan, ND, Dennis special friend JoAnne Schwartz, Bowman, ND, Lucinda Jeff Malm, Kulm, ND, and Lynette Steve Terjesen, West Hempstead, NY; her grandchildren, Amanda Aaron Phillips, Platteville, CO, Kayla Sgt. E5 Andrew Fettig, Columbia SC, Travis and Justin Terjesen, West Hempstead, NY; and great-granddaughters, Isabella and Sienna Fettig. Additional survivors include one sister, Irene Fink; one brother, Milton Audrey Jenner; two sisters-in law, Emma Kamka and Ida Schmitt; one brother-in-law, Otto Schmitt; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends. Leona was preceded in death by her husband and parents. The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the staff at Touchmark and Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center as well as Sanford Hospice for their loving dedication and care.

Leona R. Schmitt

July 18, 1927 - February 7, 2013