CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FUNERAL FOR LEONA

Leona Rauscher, age 100, of Elgin, ND, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin, ND.

Funeral services for Leona will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND.  Pastor Mike HarriSon will officiate with burial to follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin, ND.

Leona was born August 16, 1925 to Solomon and Ottila (Kranich) Horst. She was raised on the family farm north of Elgin.  As the oldest daughter in the family, she was responsible for helping at home. She often talked about baking bread for her mother at a very young age.

In the mid 1930's, her family moved to Missoula MT for one year due to the terrible drought conditions of the 1930s. She had fond memories of their time in Montana.

She attended country school at the Old Leipzig School north of Elgin.  She also grew up attending church at the Stone Church in that area and was confirmed there by Rev Heuple in 1940.  Her faith was always very important to her. She went to High School in Elgin and graduated there in 1942.  She was recognized this summer as being one of the oldest graduates of Elgin High School.

After graduation, there was a shortage of teachers because of the war, so she taught at various country schools in the area until 1956.

She married Elmer Rauscher June 10, 1951. They were blessed with 53 years together. In 1956, they welcomed their daughter, Colette. They made their home north of Elgin; until 1965, at which time, they moved into town in Elgin. Elmer continued to farm and Leona worked at several clinics in Elgin starting with Dr Curiskis, Dr Jacobson, Lorenzen Memorial Hospital and Jacobson Memorial Hospital. She worked there until she was in a farm accident in 1977.

She was a talented seamstress making many clothes and quilts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with helping make many quilts for missions at the church.

She loved working in her yard and took great pride in it.

She was very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and most recently a great, great granddaughter.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter and son-in-law Colette and Russell Woodbury, 2 granddaughters, Heather (David) Muggli, Carson; Allison Woodbury, Minneapolis MN; grandson, Kyle (Stacey) Woodbury, Carson; great grandchildren Katie (Devin) Weigel, Napoleon; Anna (John Rath) Muggli, Linton; Lily (Gavin Hauge) Muggli, Carson; Carrie, Jake, and Mason Muggli, all of Carson;  Callum Leppert, Minneapolis MN;  Weston, Wyatt, McKenna, and Maci Woodbury, all of Carson; and great great granddaughter Ellie Hauge; sister Darlene Edquist; sisters-in-law Carol Horst, Betty Mesling, and Irene Rauscher; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her parents, 5 brothers Wilbert, Alden, Milton, Arnold and Lee, 1 sister Alice Goff; one granddaughter and one great grandchild.