Services for Leona Konickson
Leona Konickson died Wednesday December 16, 2015 at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND.
Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.
Leona Steffie Konickson was born November 19, 1941, in Marshall County, MN, to Stephen and Steffie (Tulibaski) Kasprowicz. She was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Florian, MN. She grew up on the family farm and attended Stephen High School graduating in 1959. Following graduation, Leona moved to Thief River Falls and began work in the dietary department of Northwestern Hospital.
Leona married Darwin Knutson on October 29, 1966, at Assumption Catholic Church in Florian, MN, and they made their home on the family farm near Viking, MN, and she began work at the Land O’ Lakes Turkey Plant. Darwin passed away on February 10, 1972.
Leona married John Konickson on December 15, 1973, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN. They made their home on the family farm near Plummer where they farmed small grain and raised beef cattle. Following John’s death on March 24, 2007, Leona remained on the farm and continued to work at Northern Pride until her retirement in 2011 after 41 years of service.
Leona was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN, and a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion and also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.
Leona was a very kind, caring, and generous person with a heart of gold who always put others ahead of herself. Everything she did was with a touch of love and perfection. Leona was an excellent hostess who loved to entertain and share her love of cooking and baking. She hosted several holiday and birthday parties over the years with her home beautifully decorated and nobody ever went home hungry. Requests were made by many for her banana bread, eggs, potato salad, and seven layer bars. Not only did Leona enjoy making good food, she loved eating it. The ribs at Famous Dave’s were a known choice for her on any trips to Fargo, known by her as “the rib place.” Leona enjoyed dancing and was a natural on the dance floor and cherished the socialization and memories made on these occasions with good friends and family. She liked to listen to good old time music and also her country favorites Charley Pride and Alan Jackson. Leona had a green thumb for growing vegetable and flower gardens that brought much life and vibrancy to the yard. Leona loved to collect cookbooks, take pictures, keep up with the latest fashion trends, and read newspapers and magazines. Above all, her greatest pride and joy were the memories made over the years with family and friends and watching her children and grandchildren grow and her involvement in their lives.
Survivors include her loving children, LaNette (Danny) Osbjornson of Glyndon, MN, Terry (special friend Kim Kroll) of White Bear Lake, MN, and Tracy (Brian) Meckler of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Zachary, Ashley, and Jacob Osbjornson, Kourtney and Kalie Konickson; siblings, Lorraine Adamski, Evelyn Erickson, Theresa (Laures) Kleinwachter; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Darwin Knutson in 1972 and John Konickson in 2007; parents; siblings, Frank (Veronica) Kasprowicz, John Kasprowicz, Walter (Jeanette) Kasprowicz, Lawrence Kasprowicz, Margaret Kasprowicz, Joseph Kasprowicz; and brothers-in-law, Harry Adamski and Bruce Erickson.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfuneralservicve.com
