Leona Lewis

Leona J. Lewis, 86, went to be with the Lord and her family on May 17, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born January 15, 1938, in Williston, ND, to Paul and Ida Hinz. She was the third child out of eight children, who grew up in the Culbertson/Bainville, MT area.

Leona graduated from high school in Bainville and worked part time at various jobs during her high school years. She attended Minot Teachers College where she received her two year certificate for teaching. Later, she attended the University of Montana during summers to earn her degree in Elementary Education. She taught in her hometown of Bainville for two years and then moved to Wolf Point where she taught until she retired in 1992.

Leona and her husband of 47 years farmed and ranched west of Wolf Point. Leona moved to Western Montana where she lived near her daughter and family in Frenchtown. She loved the mountains and many trees.

She had a love for gardening, quilting, reading, and listening to gospel music. She enjoyed her ten grandchildren, being with them for birthdays, sporting events, and special holidays.

She is survived by her two sons, Craig Lewis and Kirk Lewis; two daughters, Ann Lebsock and Kristi Lepper; three loving sisters, two brothers, ten grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ida Hinz, two sisters, Veva and Esther Hinz, as well as her baby sister, Joyce.

On Thursday, May 23, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Frenchtown, a viewing will take place at 9:00 a.m., rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by funeral mass at 10:00 a.m.

She will be laid to rest at the Hillside Cemetery in Culbertson, Montana, on Friday, May 24, at 3:00 p.m.