Leone V. Kostad was born February 12, 1928, in Maxwell Township, rural Dawson, to Alfred and Hilda (Haakenson) Lee. She was baptized on March 17, 1928, and confirmed on May 17, 1942, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Dawson. She married Stanley G. Kostad on June 20, 1948, at the Trinity Lutheran Church. To this union, two children were born: Deborah and Bradley.
They made their home in rural Madison farming until 1974, when they purchased the Herman Ronning home in Dawson. While living in Dawson, they were the owners of the Coast-to-Coast Store until they retired in 1989. After retirement, she stayed active in the bowling league, was treasurer of the VFW Auxiliary, and continued her chairmanship with the ladies aid at Grace Lutheran Church.
Grandma Leone loved playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed baking brownies, donuts, pumpkin and pecan pies, and Norwegian cookies, sharing them with family and friends.
On Monday evening, September 25, 2006, Leone passed on to eternal life at the age of 78.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley; daughter, Deborah (Lynell) Leasman of Boyd; 3 grandchildren: Michael (Jennifer) Brehmer of New Ulm, Laura Leasman Kaas of Minneota, and Lynnsey Leasman of Brookings, SD; 4 great-grandchildren: Nathan, Matthew and Joseph Brehmer and Baily May Kaas; brothers: Thornie (Sylvia) Lee, Arbie (Bonnie) Lee, and Floyd (Dora) Lee, all of rural Dawson; sisters: Heloise Ronning of Farmington, MN, and Alice Lanoue of Brooklyn Park, MN; sisters-in-law: Marge Lee of Montevideo and Iola Kostad, Phyllis Westby, and Doris Plate, all of Dawson; and many nieces, nephews and their families, as well as neighbors and countless friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; son, Bradley on March 27, 1974; brother, Elton Lee; sisters: Florence Bauler and a sister in infancy; brothers-in-law: Glen Ronning, Donald Bauler, James Lanoue, Kenneth Kostad, Albert Westby, and Edwin Plate; son-in-law, Allen Brehmer; and nephew, Ronald Plate.
Funeral service was at 2:00 PM, Thursday, September 28, 2006, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor Kendall Stelter and Pastor Jon Dahl officiating; scriptures read were Psalm 23, Matthew 11:28-30 and John 14:1-7; great-grandchildren, Nathan Brehmer and Baily Kaas gave a tribute to great-grandma, Leone; and organist, Jeanne Peterson accompanied the congregation in singing “Rock of Ages”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Softly and Tenderly” and “Amazing Grace”. Honorary casketbearers were her God-children: Greg Lanoue, Pam (Bauler) Kang, Gary Lee, and Suzanne (Lee) Christopher; Grandchildren: Mike & Jennifer Brehmer, Laura Leasman Kaas, and Lynnsey Leasman; and Great-grandchildren: Nathan, Matthew and Joseph Brehmer and Baily May Kaas. The active casketbearers were David Lee, Brian Lee, Kenneth Lee, Dale Ronning, Calvin Lee and Mike Bauler. Interment was in Grace Lutheran Cemetery.
“Happiness is sharing life. She will be missed.”