Leona Aaker passed away June 7, 2024 at the West River Medical Center in Hettinger N.D, following a long battle with cancer, 6 days before her 80th birthday.
A celebration of Leona’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison, SD.
Born 6-13-44 to Ruth and Joe Selby, she attended school till she was in 8th grade, later in life receiving her GED.
Leona loved working on the ranch raising cattle and riding her horses. Always ready at a moment’s notice to help trail cattle or go to brandings, one being the Great Trail Drive of 1979, from the Buttes to Saint Onge.
She also owned the City Cafe for a number of years, Carmel Rolls and Pies were always on the menu, and she worked at the Bowling Ally as the main cook after selling the Cafe.
In 1990 she began her career of planting trees, measuring land for fences, dug outs etc. for the NRCS, retiring after working there for 24 years. In her retirement she loved working in her yard to make it the prettiest in town, and planting a beautiful garden.
Leona was blessed with 3 beautiful daughters Lisa ( deceased) ( Ernest ) Kari, Prairie City, SD, Renee (Mike) Jenkens, Spearfish, SD Margaret (Matt) Kuchel, Sheridan WY. In time the family grew to include 8 grand kids, and 15 great grand kids.
She will be dearly missed by her Siblings Bob Selby, Bison SD, Carolyn Van Cleave, Coeur d’Alene Id. Earl Collins Rapid City, and Fred (Valerie) Collins, Hettinger ND. 1 sister-in-law Sharon Hill of Rapid City, SD.
She is preceded in death by her parents, 1 daughter Lisa, 2008, 1 grandson Tyler Anderson, 2011 and 1 great grand daughter, Aspen Harper, 2009.
