Leona Kensmoe

Leona Huber Kensmoe, 88, Bismarck, North Dakota, died at a local care center on Monday, September 7, 2009. Services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday at Bethel Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Timothy Jenks officiating. Burial will be held at 2:00 pm Mountain Time, in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Dodge. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 8:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Leona was born on June 28, 1921, at Manhaven, ND, the daughter of Jacob and Katherine Mohl. She was raised in that area and attended grade school there. She attended two years of High School in Hazen. She married Walter J. Huber on September 7, 1941 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pick City and together they farmed northeast of Halliday for 45 years. Walter passed away on September 17, 1986. Leona moved to Bismarck in 1989 and married Roy S. Kensmoe on June 30, 1990. They lived on the farm at McClusky, until 1997 when they moved to Bismarck. Roy passed away in December, 2004. Leona was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dodge, and active as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher and involved in Ladies Aid and quilting. She was also a member of Legion Auxiliary at Halliday. She was a member at St. John Lutheran Church, McClusky, where she was active in quilting and other church activities. She was currently a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Bismarck, where she was active in LWML. Leona is survived by her children: Mariann Ralph Halter, Gary Margo Huber, Paul Paulette Huber, Bonnie Vincent Bitz, Carol Bruce Howe; her grandchildren, Cory Deb Halter, Blaine Halter, Paul Halter, Roxane Huber, Jody Huber, Suzie Sam Milanovich, Allison Ben Smits, Jesse Anja Huber, Josh Amanda Huber, Steven Gretchen Bitz, Stephanie Bitz, and Heather Howe; great grand children, Jordan Halter, Taylor Halter, Tanner Halter and Tyce Halter; a brother, Vernon Mohl, sisters-in-law, Hilda Mohl and Irene Mohl, brother-in-law Hilmer Carol Huber, sister-in-law, Ann Merland Indergaard; her step-children, Lois Bill Berquist, Steve Pearl Kensmoe, Ellen Craig Stricker, Lynn Joe Steininger, Scott Rhonda Kensmoe and eight step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Walter J. Huber and Roy S. Kensmoe; daughter-in-law, Carol Huber; sisters, Hilda Bohrer, Frieda Huber, Erna Brown, Emma Fretty, Gertie Isaak, and Elma Morast; brothers, Herbert Mohl, Fred Mohl Ervin Mohl, Walter Mohl and two infant sisters; sisters-in-law, Ida Swanson and Frieda Sailer; brothers-in-law Albert Huber, Richard Huber and Ervin Huber. The joy of Leona’s life was spending time with, and cooking for her children. Because of Leona’s faith in Christ as Her Savior, She understood true love, which made it easy for her to share with others. This was most easily expressed in her favorite phrase “I Love You.”

Leona Kensmoe

June 28, 1921 - September 7, 2009