Leona R. (Maier) Laugeness, 93, of Fargo, ND and more recently Bowman, ND, passed away Saturday morning, March 14, 2026 at the Southwest Healthcare facility in Bowman. A family and friends memorial service for Leona will be held Thursday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. at Evanson-Jensen funeral home in Elgin, ND, followed by a graveside burial service on Friday, March 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, ND, with Pastor Ann Johnston of Bethlehem Lutheran Church presiding.

Leona R. Laugeness (don't call her Rosina) was born April 25, 1932 in Elgin, ND. She was the eldest of 5 children born to John and Bertha (Schaible) Maier. Much of Leona's childhood was spent on various farmsteads in the Elgin & Heil area as their dad, John, struggled to make a living. Life was difficult and best described as living in poverty by today's standards. In the fall of 1946, John and Bertha Maier purchased a two-room house 1/2 mile East of Elgin. Leona would be 14 years old at the time and would make the transition from country school to Elgin Public School. Following her graduation from high school, she taught country school for 1 year. In 1951, Leona attended secretary school in Fargo and would remain in Fargo for most of her life.

Leona married Lloyd Laugeness October 31 (Halloween), 1953, in Fargo. Leona got to know Lloyd while he was dating her roommate. Eventually, the tables turned and Leona became Lloyd's bride. After their marriage, Leona and Lloyd moved to Sturgis, S.D. where Lloyd began a 1 year apprenticeship to learn upholstery. They then returned to Fargo where Leona took a job as a secretary for an insurance company and Lloyd started his own business, Modern Upholstery. Leona excelled in her new position, worked her way up the corporate ladder and became a valuable asset to the company.

Leona enjoyed time with her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Holidays were epic get-togethers with lots of laughing, cooking and shopping.

Following the death of her husband, Lloyd, in November of 1981, Leona became a volunteer for Hospice Red River Valley which she continued to do for 40 years. She loved quilting and constructing teddy bears to give to patients and others in need. Her generosity didn't stop there, however. She volunteered at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetary where her husband was laid to rest. She also volunteered at Medora during the summer musical season, and was very active at her church, Bethlehem Lutheran.

Leona was an explorer and enjoyed traveling with family and friends. In her final years she still thoroughly enjoyed rides in the countryside. She also had a great imagination and would often say "look at those clouds, they look like...".

In the spring of 2022, Leona moved in with her sister, Sally Binek, and niece, Danette. Her final years were spent gardening, knitting, doing puzzles and being loved by her family and friends.

It's difficult to sum up 93 years of living in just a few short paragraphs. Leona was a joy to be around. She seldom complained. Was eager for adventure and generous of heart. Oh, and did I mention her pfeffernusse cookies? Legendary!

Leona was preceded in death by her parents John and Bertha (Schaible) Maier (Elgin, ND), Brother Melvin (Sharyl) Maier (Bismarck, ND) and Sister Ruby (Ronnie) Rivinius (Chandler, AZ). Leona is survived by her brother, Marlo (Cisco) Maier, Elgin, ND, sister Sally (Daniel) Binek, Bowman, ND, nieces and nephews.