Leona Cronin
Leona A. Cronin, 98, resident of Brainerd, passed away April 5, 2017, at Good Samariatan Society - Bethany, Brainerd.
Mass of Christian Burial was April 11, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd.
Burial was at Motley Public Cemetery.
Arrangements were with the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.
Leona was born June 30, 1918, in Hartman, AR to Frank and Marie Soerries and grew up on a farm. In 1943, she met Charles Bernard Cronin at a USO dance. Charles was in the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Chafee, Fort Smith, AR. They were married on May 14, 1946 in Hartman following his return from overseas. They made their home on a farm at Staples. Leona had large gardens, sewed clothing and toys, enjoyed woodworking, hand quilting quilts,crocheting and embroidery.
She was a member of St. Michael Catholic parish in Motley; a 70 year member of the Christian Mothers (CCW-Council for Catholic Women) and St. Monica’s Circle. She was a founding member of the St. Theresa Rosary Makers group; was active in the Motley American Legion Tri-County Post #124 and its auxiliary serving as president. Following her husband’s death in Leona moved to Brainerd in 1980, where she joined St. Francis Catholic Church. In 2007 she moved to Bethany Senior Living Apartments and in 2015 to Bethany Nursing Home.
She is survived by two daughters, Agnes (Jerry) Stevens of Brainerd, Helen Helseth of Dade City, FL; three sons, Joseph (Patricia) of Milaca, Leonard (Yvonne) of Rochester, Howard (Karen) of West St. Paul; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Teresa (Bernard), Betty (Roman), Rhoda (Raymond), Patty (Leo) Soerries, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, Kim Helseth; 12 siblings, Hilda (Ferdinand) Oberste, Martha Soerries, Bernard Soerries, Rita (Edwin) Lindsay, Paul (Mabel) Soerries, Rosemary (Robert) Nitz, Florence (Raymond) Wiederkehr, Raymond, Roman, Herman, Leo Soerries, Sr. Margaret Soerries, OSB.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to; St. Francis Catholic Church Building Fund, 411 N. Tenth St, Brainerd MN 56401; Bethany Good Samaritan Society Auxiliary, 804 Wright St, Brainerd MN 56401, or the charity of your choice. w15p A00006B2017AP13
