Leona A. Schwartz, 101, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, Minnesota.

Leona Alpha was born on Feb. 8, 1918, to George and Martha (Stoddart) Christianson in Freeborn County, Minnesota. The Freeborn area is where she grew up and graduated from high school. Her first marriage was to Gail Larson right out of high school. They had six children together and later divorced. She was briefly married and had a son. In 1962, she married Elmer Schwartz and had two daughters. Elmer and Leona lived most of their lives in Austin, where they enjoyed being a part of the community and Crane Chapel Church. Leona loved her roles as a wife,

mother and grandmother. If you knew Leona, then you knew she loved to sew. One of her first jobs was working for the Singer Sewing Company. Over the years, she did a variety of other jobs to help support the family. Leona also enjoyed camping, traveling, gardening, the neighborhood “Avon” coffee group, playing cards, the family pets, the groups at church, and volunteering at the church.

Survivors include her children, Janice Prescher of Ellendale, Minnesota, Merle Stensrud of Freeborn, Minnesota, Lowell (Toni) Larson of Dent, Minnesota, Joyce Stenzel of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Ken (Wendy) Larson of Austin, Kevin Schwartz of Arizona City, Arizona, Judy Schwartz of Shakopee, Minnesota, Barb (David) Gingerich of Eagan, Minnesota, and son-in-law, Phillip Morreim of Albert Lea; 20 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 35 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Elvira Young of New Richland, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and the many people she showered with her love. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Martha Christianson; husband, Gail Larson; husband, Elmer Schwartz; one daughter, Sharon Morreim; two grandsons, Gerald Morreim and Derek Larson; one sister, Edith Lee; and three brothers, Art, Marvin and Lyle Christianson.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, at Crane Community Chapel in Austin with Pastor Dale Christiansen officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin. The family would prefer memorials go to Three Links Cottage East in Northfield, where Leona lived. Direct donations can be made online at https://threelinks.org/giving. The donations will be used for any needs the cottage has and for the activity director’s budget so she can continue to bring joy and fun to the residents that live there. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.