LONA MARY ELIZABETH WOODS (NEE HUHTALA)
Lona Woods passed peacefully at 12:50pm on Victoria Day, May 20th, after a long illness. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends to the end.
Lona was pre-deceased by her husband of 35 years, Rollie Woods, her mother Laina and her brother Jack (Jeanette). She leaves behind her 5 children, Tara (Don Petkau), John (Catherine), Donna (LeVern Cayer), Lisa (Rod Struss) and Carla (Jim Chliboyko). She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grand children and her sister Diane (Allan Handford).
Lona was born in Saskatchewan in 1934. She grew up on a farm near Wapella. Lona and her family moved to Winnipeg in 1939. They lived on Crystal Avenue in St. Vital and attended Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. After graduating from Glenlawn Collegiate, Lona attended Normal School to become a teacher. She taught for 7 years, first at Winnipeg Beach and then in Winnipeg. Lona met Richard Roland (Rollie) Woods at the YMCA and they married in March of 1956 at Christ Memorial. Lona and Rollie had 4 children when Rollie was transferred to Kansas City. They had their fifth child while living there and returned every summer to spend time with family and friends at the cabin in Lac du Bonnet. In 1971, the family returned to Winnipeg, settling in Southdale.
Lona was an organist in the church for many years, sang in the choir, served as a teacher and later as superintendent of the Sunday School. Lona ferried her kids to and from their lessons, designed costumes for the musicals at J.H. Bruns Collegiate, taught piano to many of her grandchildren, and volunteered at her daughter’s school.
To the end, Lona was kind and funny, caring and good-natured. Family and faith always came first for Lona and helping others was a reflection of that love and devotion. She will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know her.
The family would like to thank the staff at River Park Gardens for its unfailing compassion and exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, the Canadian Lutheran World Relief or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held for Lona at Faith Lutheran Church on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a service and a luncheon.
Lona will be accompanied to the cemetery by her family following the luncheon.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lona Mary Elizabeth Woods Huhtala Monday May 20th 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba