Leona Smith

Leona Mae Smith, age 95, of Canby, Minn., passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Sylvan Court Nursing Home in Canby. Prayer service and visitation was held Sunday, August 25, at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel with burial at the St. Lucas Cemetery, Cottonwood, Minn. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.
Leona Mae Hanson was born on July 23, 1929, in Marshall, Minn., to Edgar and Iva (Norem) Hanson. Her early years were spent in Minneota, Minn., until the family moved to Canby were she graduated from Canby High School in 1947.
On July 15, 1947, Leona was united in marriage to James Smith. Together they were blessed with four children, Larry, Mike, Mary Kae, and Connie. James passed away on October 8, 2008. Leona entered the workforce after her children were in school. She had a part time custodian job at Marble School for two years. Her next job was as a receptionist for Dr. Ostroot’s Dental Clinic and later years of employment were spent at the Canby Vo-Tech and she retired as the Financial Aid Director.
Leona is survived by her four children, Larry Smith of Canby, Mike (Glenda) Smith of Canby, Mary Kae (Daniel) Hodapp of Corning, Iowa, and Connie (Dwight) Danielson of Deerwood, Minn.; ten grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Mary Hanson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Iva Hanson; husband, James Smith; great-grandson, Kassin James Danielson; in-laws, Frank and Lucille Smith; and brother, Stanley Hanson.