Leona Ethel Gibson

1936 - 2014

Leona Gibson, 78, of Bozeman passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014. She was born Oct. 9, 1936, one of four children, to Fred and Ethel (McMillen) Franz in Sidney, Mont. where she was raised. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1954 and from Montana State College in 1958.

Leona married Wayne Gibson on June 14, 1958 in Sidney and they had three children. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and she enjoyed people. Leona worked retail at Buttons and Bows in Helena, an executive secretary for Mutual Rural Insurance Co. of Gallatin County and Montana Assoc. of Mutual Insurance Companies, and later retail at Silver Thimble. She was also a life-long teacher of sewing and cooking.

She was very active in many clubs and organizations including 31 years with Lioness' and Lions Clubs, Steering Committee for Multiple District Convention in Bozeman, District 37-A-Zone Chairman, over 20 years with College National Finals Rodeo and Queen Contest, Bozeman Hawk Boosters Board, Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, PEO Chapter F; 18 years as a 4-H Leader. Leona was very active in the Lutheran Church as the Sunday School Superintendent, Bible School Teacher, Hope Lutheran Church of Women President as well as chairing several committees. She participated in the Daughters of the Nile, Sapphira Temple-Helena, Gallatin Valley Newcomers, Gallatin County Extension Advisory Board, Winter Fair Judge, Make It Yourself with Wool, Election Judge, Wally Byam Committee Volunteer, MSU Alumni Association and MSU Herrick Hall Renaissance Committee. Leona was also the recipient of several awards throughout her life.

Leona is survived by her daughters, Debbie Gibson of Helena, Karen (Kerby) Durbin of Lewistown; son, Kenneth (Lynn Kelting) Gibson; granddaughter, Abbey Schmaltz of Bozeman; brothers, Raymond (Ann Adkins) Franz of Sidney, Robert Franz of Auburndale, Fla.; sister, Wilma Horrall of Redmond, Wash. and Mesa, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, JoAnn Franz.

Visitation will be held Sunday, Nov. 9 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial services will be held Monday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church. Private family burial.

Memorials may be sent in Leona's name to Montana 4-H Foundation, P.O. Box 173580, Bozeman, MT 59717; Bozeman Deaconess Foundation (memo line: Hospice), 931 Highland Blvd., Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715; Shriners Hospitals for Children, 911 W. 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204; Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 Graf St., Bozeman, MT 59718 or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, www.dokkennelson.com.