Leona May Haukaas of Coker Creek, TN, passed away on March 6, 2026. She was born June 25, 1931, daughter to Leroy and Millie (Washek) Lenhart of Underwood, MN. Leona married Olaf Haukaas in November of 1952 and within a few years started their family. They spent 39 years together making a home in St Louis Park MN, traveling, sharing adventures with their children and serving their church and community. Upon retirement they continued to travel and lived between 2 homes: one in Mission, TX and the other in Wright, MN. After Olaf's passing Leona met Edwin Priem, Sr. and devoted the next 27 years to making memories with their combined families, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They lived in Mission, TX, Wright, MN and Aitkin, MN. They enjoyed baseball, fishing, playing cribbage and dominoes. Leona saw to it that all her homes were overflowing with laughter, fun and delicious homemade food. Leona was a hard worker, fiercely independent and a pioneer. She was not afraid to tackle anything and made the world a brighter, better, and more beautiful place. Her sense of humor was second to none and her wits razor sharp. She was a lover of food, lemon in anything, baking, gardening but most of all children. Her personal mission was to make every child feel loved, wanted and special. Whether it was her own children, someone else's children, the neighborhood children, or children she saw in the grocery store, she looked out for and loved them all. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, brother Stanford, husband Olaf Haukaas, and partner Edwin Priem Sr. She will be greatly missed by her son Dale (Louise) Haukaas of Minneapolis Mn, daughter Cynthia (Steve) Bennett of Coker Creek TN, grandchildren Shayne (Kinzie) Korpela, Shannon (Jason) May, Shale (Becky) Korpela, Alec Haukaas, the Priem families, many great grand-children and great great grand-children, as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you take a moment to honor Leona: hug a child, share a smile, and make them feel special. A Celebration of Life is planned for June 25th, 2026 at the City Hall in Wright MN.