Leona Hartjen

Leona Hartjen age 90, passed away on January 26, 2007 at the Amore Care Home in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 19th at 11:00 AM at the Ranney Funeral Chapel in Wheaton. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Leona was born on November 25, 1916 on the E. E. Howard Farm in Traverse County, Minnesota to Carl and Clara (Kurth) Babst. She attended the District 54 School through the 8th grade and was confirmed at the St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Leona did housework for Paul Totzke, Keith, who used to own the Pennys Store in Wheaton, Dan Conroy as a road construction cook and for Dr. Oliver, Sr. of Graceville, besides restaurant and baby sitting jobs. She met her husband, Milbert W. Hartjen in Wheaton for the schools play day. They were married on September 26th, 1936 by Reverend Hienie. Attendants were Leona's sister Dorothy, and Milbert's brother, Percy. Four children were born, Yvonne (Vonnie), Arnold, Rodney and Karen. They resided in Dumont, MN. until 1962, when they moved to Rush Lake near Perham, MN. Leona enjoyed life, fishing, gardening, crocheting, knitting and playing cards. After Milbert retired, they traveled all over United States in their 5th wheel and finally settled down in Apache Junction, Arizona. She suffered a stroke in 1997 and was placed in Class Act Care home in 1999. In 2001, Milbert joined her in the Amore Care Home in Mesa, AZ. She was unable to communicate but enjoyed seeing her family and friends. Leona is survived by her husband: Milbert, daughters: Yvonne (Floyd) Voeltz Scottsdale, AZ. Karen (Doyle) Hein from Park River, ND, sons: Arnold, (Shirley) Wadena, MN. and Rodney (Sheri) in Mesa, AZ. Nine Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren. Sisters: Mae Johnson, Anoka, MN. Dalla (Don) Beyer, Wheaton, MN. Delia (Orville) Caweiti, Anoka, MN. Sisters preceded Leona in death: Ruth Jensen, Dorothy Beyer and Helen Beyer. Honorary Pallbearers are: Jeffrey Voeltz, Marc Hartjen, Todd Hartjen, David Heins, Bradly Shits and Alex Ramirez.. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton, Minnesota