Leona Reynolds

Leona Mae Reynolds (née Nesheim)

October 8, 1925 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

December 5, 2022 - Flin Flon, Manitoba

Leona Reynolds of Flin Flon, Manitoba passed away peacefully on December 5, 2022 at the age of 97.  Leona was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Hilda (née Christianson) and Nels Nesheim of Macrorie, Saskatchewan. Leona grew up on the family farm near the South Saskatchewan River. She attended a typical school in a rural district which meant walking to school with her siblings in the summer, and in the winter, walking or taking a sleigh. At that time, schooling ended at grade 9 and in order to complete her high school she took correspondence.  Following completion of her grade 12, Leona enrolled in the Moose Jaw General Hospital Nursing Program and graduated in 1947 as a Registered Nurse (RN). Her first job as a nurse was at the Foam Lake Union Hospital, where she met and fell in love with Len Reynolds.  Len and Leona were happily married for 56 years.

At the time when Leona and Len moved to Flin Flon, the only means of transportation to the town was by train. They lived on Hiawatha Avenue and in 1949 welcomed their first child Lyle, followed by four more children, Carol, Brenda, Fred and Lavern.  To make room for their growing family they purchased a lot on Elander Avenue in Creighton, and built the home they lived in for many years.  Raising five children and running a household was physically demanding with a ringer washer, drying clothes on the line summer and winter, no running hot water, an outhouse, and a clear distinction between the roles of men and women. On top of her role as a homemaker, she worked some shifts at the Company Hospital and the Flin Flon General Hospital. In 1973 during the strike at HBMS Leona returned to work at the Flin Flon General Hospital in the Pediatrics Unit.  In about 1980 Leona worked in the Medical Unit at the Flin Flon General Hospital followed by her new role as Home Care Nurse with Flin Flon Home Care and later, Creighton Home Care, where she happily worked for many years. During this time she was also active with the United Church, United Church Women, the Creighton Seniors’ Centre and Legion Ladies.  Leona was always happy in her kitchen and also enjoyed crosswords, baking, making preserves, playing cards, reading, gardening, and travel. Most of all she enjoyed getting together with family.  Leona kept in close contact with her siblings and Len’s family and they made many trips to Outlook, Lucky Lake, and Foam Lake, Saskatchewan.  Leona loved to travel to learn about other places and experience new adventures.  Leona was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a caring nurse, a good neighbor and an active community member who will remain in our hearts forever.

Leona will be lovingly remembered by her children, Lyle Reynolds (Ottawa, Ontario), Carol/Herman Bezo (Creighton, Saskatchewan), Brenda/Tom) MacGown (Masham, Quebec), Fred Reynolds (Calgary, Alberta), and Lavern/Carol Reynolds (Creighton, Saskatchewan), her grandchildren Lesley Bezo, Derek Bezo, Rob  MacGowan, Laura MacGowan, Mathew Reynolds and Christopher Reynolds, many great-grandchildren; her siblings Jean Totchuk (Outlook, Saskatchewan), Norris/Leila Nesheim (Macorie, Saskatchewan); her brother-in law Willard Ross (Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan) as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Leona was predeceased by her loving husband Leonard (Len), her parents Hilda and Nels Nesheim, her sister Marion Ross and her brother-in law Dick Totchuk.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Northern Lights Manor who cared for and attended to Leona with kindness and compassion for the past seven years. 

If so desired, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada (Alzheimer.ca)

Condolences and tributes in Leona’s memory may be made to Grants Funeral Home (grantsfuneralhome.com).

Leona’s family will celebrate her and her remarkable life at a private family service.