Leona Stone, age 96, of Gary, SD, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gary, SD with Rev. Bruce Mueller officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Gary. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 21st from 5 – 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gary.

Leona Violet Stone was born on April 28, 1924, in Canby, MN to Charles and Clara (Barr) Carter. She grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, later moving to Gary. She graduated from Gary High School.  Leona married Eldon Eugene Stone on January 31, 1943 at Gary, South Dakota. They were blessed with 11 children in their union of 58 years. Leona worked along side Eldon on their farm for more than 39 years until they moved into Gary in 1980.  Leona was a member of the Gary Historical Society and Gary Library Board. She enjoyed her nights at Card Club and often came home with High Prize. Her hobbies included her garden, flowers and crocheting. Leona & Eldon enjoyed many camping trips together with their family.  Her greatest joy in life was her family. She loved nothing better than a visit from her grandkids. They all enjoyed her cooking skills such as made from scratch chicken noodle soup, goulash, brownies, doughnuts and homemade buns just to name a few. Each one of them knew Grandma was always there for them.

Leona is survived by four sons: Craig (Deb) Stone, Brian Stone, Wade (Sandy) Stone and Dane (Jody) Stone; four daughters: Carolynn Webber, Ellen (Albert) Schulte, Dona Westley and Lenae (Myron) Deslauriers; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and two daughters-in-law: Nancy (Frank) Stone and Cricket (John) Luther.  Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon, two sons: Paul and Mark; one daughter, Sharon Marie; her parents, three brothers: Lynn, Roy and Harold and two sisters: Gladys Knight and Avis Castle.