gramma's obituary

 

Leora Johanna Rawn (Jensen) was born on July 29, 1916, in Flaxton, North Dakota, and spent her final days at the Prescott Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by the people she loved. She was 98 and a half years old.

The second of Nels and Gertrude Jensen's six daughters, Leora was quick to cultivate a strong work ethic, a sharp wit, and the ability to sniff out malarky upwind a North Dakota mile. She used those skills to graduate early from Northgate High School in 1934.  Nearly a decade later, she married Henry Rawn. On their Flaxton farm, they raised wheat, chickens, cows and two kids, Gary and Patricia, before opening the Northgate Cafe' on the U.S. Canadian Border. The cafe’ was famous for Leora’s pies, cookies, and her penchant for looking the other way while the grandkids and cousins raided the candy shelves.

In 1977, after the death of Gary's wife, Hank and Leora relocated to Bakersfield, CA, to help their son raise their two young grandchildren.

Hank died in 1978, and soon after, the family found themselves settled in Prescott, Wisconsin, where Leora kept even busier than her grandkids. She attended school functions, participated in activities at Joy Lutheran Church, hosted slumber parties and bingo nights for her grandkids, wrote columns for The Prescott Journal, played cards, visited, spent time with her family and friends, and could often be found in the kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee, a willing ear and an open heart.

Although she always said she didn't want a "big fuss" made over her passing, she also left her grandkids in charge, saying, "do what you want."  Since we think she is completely deserving of a big (yet dignified) fuss, we invite you to join us as we celebrate almost a century of Gramma Leora's wisdom, wit and love on Saturday, January, 31, 1:00 pm, at Joy Lutheran Church in Prescott, WI.

Please don't wear black, she'll be furious.

She was preceded in death by what she liked to call, "almost everyone else" -  in particular,  her parents, her husband Henry, her son Gary, four sisters, several friends and family members.

Her daughter Trish; grandkids Jana, Devin, Jamie and Jim; sister Vera; nine great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews (including her favorite), will pass down her legacy of love, quick wit, card sharking skills and the secret recipe for toasted cheese sandwiches.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you spend an hour listening to the stories of someone older and wiser than yourself, rally your friends for a spirited game of cards, and take time to visit with the people you love.

Donations may be made to the Prescott Care Center Auxiliary.