Leona M. Schmidt, 94, of Staples, died June 11, 2009, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Home in Baxter.

A memorial service was held June 15, at the Staples United Methodist Church with Pastor Wes Johnson officiating. Burial was in the Motley Public Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Leona was born Aug. 25, 1914, in south May Township, Cass County, to Louis and Sadie (Alexander) Buchholz. She attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from the Motley High School with the Class of 1935.

She married Arlo L. Schmidt of Philbrook on April 9, 1939 in Grey Eagle. Leona worked, at area resorts around Brainerd and cafes where she lived, and was also a homemaker. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, oil painting, ceramics, reading, crossword puzzles and fishing. She was a member of the Staples United Methodist Church, the UMW and Mary Alpha Circle.

Leona is survived by one daughter-in-law, Dorothy (Greenwaldt) Schmidt; two grandchildren; three great-grandsons, one sister in-law, Winnie Schmidt; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, Gary; two sisters and two brothers.

Memorials preferred to the American Diabetes Association.

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