Leona Jean Loewen

Boniface Hospital on June 21 with a sister and brother at her bedside.

Leona, second daughter of George and Herta Loewen, was born and

raised with her two sisters (Evelyn, Ruth) and brother (George Jr.) in

Abbotsford BC. Happy childhood memories included Friday night

family outings to Harrison Hot Springs, visiting grandparents on the

Chilliwack farm or in Vancouver, camping at Jasper National Park in

August after the raspberry picking season was done, and singing in

the Lake Errock church. Leona was baptized and joined the MB Church

in September of 1974.

One particular family road trip stands out as life-altering among Oni's

family vacations. The sisters were in the Intermediate grades at

Centennial Park Elementary the first time we drove down the I-5 to

Californina—no air conditioning, Denny's by day and Motel 6 by night.

Disneyland, here we come! Leona's future unfolded in TomorrowLand

where she got behind the wheel of a snazzy car in the Autopia

attraction, with dad as her hesitant passenger. As they left the vehicle

after the jolting ride, dad made a joke about Oni's driving abilities

which she accepted as a lifelong challenge to be—someday—a woman

at the wheel who excelled in operating a vehicle. Fast-forward two

decades and our family was once again heading toward “the happiest

place on earth” in Anaheim, California. Approaching LA, dad offered

Leona the distinct honour of driving the next challenging leg of the

journey and so, with gratitude and gusto, she steered us through the

freeways of LA to our hotel. For Oni, the reversing of dad's joking

remark was the reward, not the accomplishment of navigating LA

traffic.

After high school Leona moved to Winnipeg to pursue higher

education, graduating from CMU (MBBC) and University of Manitoba

and then launching a career in Early Childhood Education. Emerging

from a Bachelor of Human Ecology degree with a major in Family

Studies, Leona landed a job in Room One (2 year-olds) at Care-a-Lot

Daycare Centre. During her nearly thirty-five years there, Oni held

responsibilities as a Room Supervisor, Assistant Director and most

recently as the Director while the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic

persisted. As bystanders, our family regards Oni's vocational efforts

as valiant and impressive.

With the help of her parents, Leona established herself in Winnipeg by

purchasing her Dunrobin bungalow, just a few minutes' brisk walk

from her job—especially brisk in winter. Lori Dueck, a neighbour from

down the hall in Harmony House and Elmwood Care Group friend,

shared the house with Oni until a few years ago when she moved into

her own condo. Another beloved housemate was a black and white

dog whose name was inspired by the US Army General, Norman

Schwarzkopf. Leona capably managed her home and yard: planting

flowers, clearing snow, assembling BBQs, canning the pink applesauce

from her crabapple tree, averting basement floods, maintaining

appliances and fixtures—Leona did it all! Of course, she had support

nearby from kind people like Evan, Nancy and sweet Talia, James and

Pam. And twice a year Oni's neighbours would see George and Herta

pitching in when they arrived on their “Rakes and Ladders” tours.

Thank you, dear neighbours. We remember Oni as a woman who

authentically lived the basics: Love God. Love your neighbours.

Leona knew that the context of her work in childhood education was

play! Oni is simultaneously hard-working and fun-loving. Numerous

creative hobbies, games and interests occupied her off-work hours.

For example, she was talented with needles. During her first year in

college, a dormitory neighbour hired Leona to re-design a pattern and

sew her bridal gown. Oni was up for the challenge, bought a bunch of

sheets from MCC, stitched together a practice dress, perfected the

details and expertly tailored Becky's gown, all at age 18! Knitting

needles kept her busy too; Oni was a charter member of the MBBC

“SKF” or Serene Knitters Fellowship. Our Grandma, Elizabeth Loewen,

was the inspiration behind Leona's foray into needlepoint and crossstitch.

The Toronto Blue Jays' success in the early '90s led Oni to a love of

baseball which culminated in a road trip on which she visited ten

historic ballparks including Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and old Yankee

Stadium. In contrast to relaxing with a baseball game on TV and

Solitaire on her tablet, Oni was a swift opponent in Dutch Blitz, and

quick-thinking strategist in the dominoes-based Chicken Foot. She

“developed” a love for photography working in dark rooms and

yearbook committees in high school and college. Skills behind the

Canon camera lens proved handy in her many travels throughout

Canada and the US, Europe and South America. Our candid

photographic memories do not capture Oni in action because she was

the busy one taking the pictures!

While close contact remained with her immediate family in BC,

Leona's prairie “families of the heart” included the Care-a-Lot Daycare

Centre, Elmwood Church friends, and the Dunrobin Avenue

Neighbourhood. In these spheres of relationships Oni was beloved and

blessed. She was appreciated as a reliable hard worker, generous and

compassionate to friends and strangers alike, a kind courageous

woman.

Leona especially enjoyed being an aunt to Jillian and Meredith, never

ignoring an opportunity to spoil her nieces! Advent/Christmas and

summer vacations with them on Gabriola Island BC are precious

family traditions and we will sorely miss Leona's presence there.

Leona's life with us was resolutely heaven-bent; she generously gave

of her time and talents for the benefit of others and to the glory of

God.

Oni's retirement plans for returning to BC did not unfold as we

expected. But we believe that she heard Jesus calling softly and

tenderly, “Oh sister, come Home!” She is rejoicing today, reunited with

our dad in heaven. Leona's departure is mourned by her mother,

Herta Loewen, and immediate family memebers: Evelyn Loewen,

Ruth/Matthew Sherwood (Jillian, Meredith), and George Loewen Jr.

The family wishes to convey our heart-felt thanks to the individuals at

St. Boniface Hospital (5B) who compassionately attended to her

medical needs and personal care.