Leona Harpestad

Leona Ruth Harpestad, age 90, of Wells, MN died Saturday, February 27, 2016 at UHD in Blue Earth, MN. A Funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, with Pastor Mary Iverson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be Rosehill Cemetery in Wells. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. Leona Ruth Ehrich was born April 13, 1925 to Ruben and Minnie (Hundt) Ehrich in Rome Township, Faribault County, Minnesota. Leona attended Country School District #84, St. John's Parochial School in Elmore Township, and Frost High School from Sept 1939 to June of 1943. After graduation, Leona worked at the Blue Earth Canning Factory. She cared for her ailing mother and raised her younger siblings. Leona also helped with the farming. In 1947, she attended Minneapolis Business School night classes and worked at Hardware Mutual Insurance Company in Minneapolis, MN. Leona married Gordon Harpestad May 9, 1949 at the United Lutheran Church in Frost, MN by Pastor Mosby. The couple lived in Minneapolis prior to moving to Blue Earth, MN. The couple moved to Wells, MN in 1953, where they lived until their deaths. Leona worked at Del Monte Canning Co. in Wells doing seasonal factory work. She helped with Gordon's milk routes and also had an in-home babysitting business for several years. Leona is a member of the Wells American Legion Auxiliary, Wells VFW Auxiliary, DAV Auxiliary and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She is survived by her children: Joyce (Lee) Skaar of Dundas, MN, Judy Harpestad of Wells, MN, Dennis (Laura) Harpestad of Minnetonka, MN; Grandchildren: Gjert (Amanda) Skaar of Minneapolis, MN, Kristin Skaar of Minneapolis, MN, Andrew Prady of Minnetonka, MN; and great-grand daughter Eleanor Skaar. Siblings: Gilbert (Ramona) Ehrich of Blue Earth, MN, Donald Ehrich of Seattle, WA, Elaine Ehrich of Sacramento, CA; sister-in-law, Ardelle Harpestad, Watertown, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Leona is preceded in death by husband, Gordon in Oct of 2004; parents Ruben and Minnie Ehrich; brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Bernice Ehrich; three infant children at birth; and brothers- & sisters-in-law.