She was born in Elk River, Minnesota on October 12, 1923 and was the daughter of Roy Burton Johnson and Cassie (Thomas) Johnson Irwin.
Prior to her divorce in 1986 she was married to Roy Ray Bolton for 41 years and together they raised ten children.
She worked for Studebaker, Pontiac Motors, and retired from GM in 1982, as Department Head of IBM Key Punch Operators.
She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Harrison, MI, and had a passion for family, friends, playing cards, and popcorn.
She was preceded in death by Roy Johnson (father), Cassie Irwin (mother), Thomas Irwin (step-father), Roy Bolton (husband), her sisters Wilma Yeargan & Beulah Ross and step-sisters Rosalie & Virginia.
She is survived by a loving family: Roy “Jr.” Burton (Jayne) Bolton of Burt, MI; Marleane Kay (Randell) Herr of Rochester Hills, MI; Dennis Ray (Deborah) Bolton of Auburn Hills, MI; Karen Sue Bolton (Mary Duvall) of Harrison, MI; William “Butch” Harrison (Mida) Bolton of Auburn Hills, MI; Terry Lee Bolton of Harrison, MI; Ralph Thomas (Carolyn) Bolton of Webberville, MI; Cheryl Ann (Thomas) Scherlinck of Wildwood, MO; Caroline “Pixie” May (Mark) Torroll of Tempe, AZ; John Irwin (Sherri) Bolton of Auburn Hills, MI, dogs Freckles and Phin; beloved sisters Maxine Ames and Frances (Robert) Bolton; 22 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and all the special people she adopted.
A celebration of life will be held on February 17, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Christian Memorial Gardens West Chapel located at 521 East Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills, MI. People coming to the service will be directed to the Chapel location. Please arrive early enough as the service will begin promptly at 11:00 AM. Leola and Roy will be laid to rest immediately following at the grave site. A luncheon is planned at River Crest Banquet Center located at 900 W. Avon Rd., Rochester Hills, MI from 1:00–4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Leola was always happy when Roy took all the kids up north to the lake so she could go bowling, have piece and quiet while watching “The Price is Right” or the Game Show Network, and from time to time doing some shopping. Leola enjoyed having children around all the time and treated everyone like one of her own including feeding everyone’s dogs with her “extra” bacon. Whether taking the family on their annual trip to Grand Rapids to visit relatives, attending a school activity, watching a sporting event, or reading about her loved ones every moment was special to her as indicated by the boxes of pictures, news paper clippings and treasures she meticulously kept. Leola enjoyed telling stories every time there was a family gathering. She loved butterflies, the colors Pink and Purple and had a unique and infectious laugh. Everyone who knew her understood how she felt or what she was thinking especially when she gave you “the look”. Leola was generous with her time, sharing her love, and she will be deeply missed by all.
