Leota Okie Grace Williams Leaver

Leota Grace Leaver (Williams), or “Okie”, as she was known, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2013 at the Assiniboia Union Hospital, at 102 years.

She was born February 3, 1911 in Belle Plaine, Sask., to parents Herbert and Ellen Williams (nee Medders). She had two brothers, Asa and Tommy and two sisters, Jennie and Mary. In 1914 the family moved to the Readlyn-Roselea district and Okie attended Roselea School getting her Grade 8 education. At the age of 13, she would go with her Dad who had a threshing machine and she would be the cook. They were very long days from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and all she had was a box stove to work with. She also cooked for boarders at the Bateman house in Readlyn. In 1929, after saving her money she attended Beauty School in Regina. However, there were no jobs available so she went to Spring Valley and worked in the telephone office for $40.00 a month.

Okie married Harvey Leaver January 1, 1930 in the Readlyn Manse and started their life together in Outlook, Sask., before moving to Willows and eventually to the farm three miles south of Willows. There were five children born to this union: Joyce, Iris, Wayne, Donna and Gary, who died at birth. Harvey passed away in 1962 and she moved to Assiniboia to begin a different life. She worked for Eatons Catalogue Center until 1967 and then worked as the desk clerk at the Lodge Hotel until 1975.

She retired to her little house on 6th Ave. West where she remained until 2005 when she moved to Prairie Villa and remained there until her death. When Okie retired to her little house on 6th Ave. West, she always looked forward to spring and its promise of new life. She would be out digging around in her rhubarb patch to find enough for a fresh rhubarb pie and oh, how good that was!!! She loved her little garden and the taste of fresh vegetables. She cooked for herself and baked her own bread up until she moved. Her homemade buns were awesome and were shared with family and friends. She loved her plants in her front porch, which included violets, ferns and the amaryllis at Christmas time. Her handicrafts included knitting, crocheting and sewing for her children and grandchildren. We cannot speak of Okie’s handiwork without mentioning the beautiful afghans and dishcloths she created which were shared among family and friends. We must not forget her four different Budgie Birds. She enjoyed them so much and taught two of them to talk!! These birds were most entertaining and good company for her.

Each spring and fall, she loved to go to Joyce and Bob’s farm, and ride with Bob on his John Deere gator to see the new calves or go to the field to see the seeding or harvest operations. At 100, she climbed up on the combine and rode with Dale. She did enjoy that! The move to the Prairie Villa was a big change in her life. She did adjust, however, and enjoyed singing in the Villa choir and playing Bingo. Okie was a remarkable lady and at the age of 102, was patient, kind, and true, and leaves an incredible legacy through her family.

Okie was predeceased by her husband Harvey, daughter Iris, son Wayne, grandsons Shawn and Gary, brothers Asa and Tommy and sisters Jennie and Mary. She is survived by her daughters Joyce (Bob Kindt) and Donna (Allan Lowes), 14 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Okie’s Life was held Saturday, May 11th, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Ross Funeral Chapel, Assiniboia, SK. Lori Klein officiated. Tribute was given by the grandchildren and pallbearers were grandsons: Dale Kindt, Curtis Lowes, Darren Leaver, Blaine Leaver, Kevin McKenzie and Cody Deringer. Interment followed in Mount Hope Cemetery, Assiniboia, SK. Donations in Memory of Okie may be made to South Country Health Care Foundation for the Assiniboia Union Hospital Integrated Facility. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.