Leona Gunsch, 90, Cooperstown, ND, formerly of Valley City, ND passed away in Fargo, ND on February 15, 2020.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be the hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in St. Catherine Cemetery in the spring.

Leona “Lea” was born third of six children to Katherine (Hecker) and Ambrose Stroh on a farm near Dunn Center, ND. She grew up on the farm and later in Killdeer, ND. She attended Dickinson State College where she earned her two year teaching standard certificate. She taught in a one room school house before taking a job in Lemmon, SD where she met fellow teacher Leonhardt Maurice Gunsch. They were married in Killdeer in July, 1954.

Soon after the newlyweds moved to Valley City, ND where Lea retired to start a family. The couple had three boys – Mark, Paul, and Jeff. The family also spent a year living in Grand Forks, ND and a year in Greeley, CO, where her husband pursued graduate work. Lea eventually went back to school too, and completed her B.S. in Elementary Education at Valley City State College, and began working on a masters degree as well.

In addition to being a homemaker Lea did some substitute teaching in Valley City, and opened a nutrition foods store for a time. She spent her final years at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown. Lea’s Catholic faith was important to her throughout her life, and she found comfort in saying the Holy Rosary. She had a kind ear, and was always willing to listen. Lea was immensely proud of her grandchildren, and was blessed to be able to see them grow into young adults.

Lea is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister, two brothers, and one son. She is survived by her sister Irene Boe of St. Paul, MN, brother Tony (Leona) Stroh of Killdeer, ND, son Mark (Carol Ann) and granddaughter Rachel of Salisbury, NC, and son Paul (Barbara Dallavalle) and grandsons Andrew and Benjamin of Rochester, MN. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews too numerous to list. Leona had a contagious laugh, which will be remembered by many. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting Leona’s family with arrangements.  An online guestbook and tribute page can be found at www.lerudschuldt.com