Leona "Lee" Margaret Anderson, 99, of Climax, MN, was taken by God's hand on October 16, 2021. Her adoring husband, Merle, of nearly 75 years had been patiently waiting for her to join him, along with her loving parents and sister. While already missed dearly on Earth, she is now peaceful and eternally happy.

Lee was born on September 17, 1922, in rural East Grand Forks, MN to James and Isabelle Shimek. She attended a country school ¾ of a mile from their homestead. A self-proclaimed tomboy, she helped her dad, climbed trees, and played with the chickens. As a teenager, she attended Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, where she earned her keep by working in the dining hall. As a freshman, she took first prize in a talent show by singing, yodeling, and playing her guitar to "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart."

While attending school, she met a nice farm boy, Merle Anderson. They dated and danced for a few years, while Lee worked at Colburn's Stationary Store, in Grand Forks, after graduating. On December 15, 1943, Merle and Lee were joined in marriage at Sacred Heart Parish House in East Grand Forks. Lee and Merle moved to the Anderson family farmstead, near Climax, in 1948. One year later they welcomed a sweet, baby girl named Barb. They built a new home on the same property in 1966 where they lived contently for nearly 50 years.

Lee was a hard worker. She cooked three meals a day for her family, including the workers on the farm. If help was needed on the potato harvester, she was there. Her house was always immaculate, and she took immense pride in all her work. She rested long enough to attend worship weekly, at St. Francis Church in Fisher. Still, Lee loved to have some fun. She enjoyed singing, dancing, and playing cards with her friends. At different intervals during her life, she also took tennis and golfing lessons, and was a part of a bowling league for many years.

Lee loved to laugh. She loved a good joke, and no one could tell one better than her husband. If she had heard the joke a million times, you would never know it by her laugh. Most of all, Lee loved her family, who she worried and cared for every day of her life. When it came to family, there's nothing she missed. No one did "wife", "mom", and "grandma" better than Lee did.

Loving family members who survive Lee include her daughter, Barb Tronnes of Climax, MN and granddaughter, Lacey Tronnes of Grand Forks, ND along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Merle Anderson on August 13, 2018 and a sister Sylvia Raymond.

Blessed be the memory of Leona M. Anderson

Visitation: 2:00-4:00 PM Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Climax Lutheran Church, 408 Riverside St, Climax, MN 56523 with Prayer Service at 3:30 PM

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 PM, Monday, October 25, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 200 3 ^rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 with visitation one hour prior to service at the church.

Graveside Service: 4:30 PM on Monday, October 25, 2021 at Sand Hill Lutheran Cemetery, Climax, MN

Interment: Sand Hill Cemetery ~ Climax, Minnesota