Leona M. Strouf

Leona Marie (Spika) Strouf, 84, passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of April 15, 2018. She received excellent care by CMMC Hospice, her husband, Dick and granddaughter, Tara. She was always proud to say that she had lived a good life and had been everywhere and seen everything. She was an inspiration and always a hard worker. She could do so many things and always with a smile on her face.

She was born in Lewistown on September 20, 1933 to Charles and Martha (Vanek) Spika of Coffee Creek. She graduated from Denton High School and finished one year in Bozeman at MSU. She was united in marriage to Richard (Dick) Strouf on June 20, 1953 in Denton and they raised three children. In 1963 they bought their farm near Moccasin where they grew wheat and barley. Leona also worked part-time for the Judith Basin Press and drove the bus for the Stanford School District.

She volunteered several years as a 4-H leader and was involved in the Moccasin Garden Club and Little Belts Snowmobile Club. After they bought their first airplane in 1969, they got involved in the Montana Pilots Association and International Flying Farmers. They would fly all over the country to different gatherings, including several trips to Canada and Alaska. They even hosted their own Fly-ins at their family farm. She was selected as the Queen of the Montana chapter of International Flying Farmers in the mid-80's.

Leona always loved to travel. She had been to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and nearly every state in the US. In 1986 they bought a cabin at Seeley Lake where they would spend their free time and have family get-togethers. After they retired they traveled in their RV as "snowbirds" in the winter months and would seek warmer weather in the south.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Dick Strouf and three children; Dale (Donna) Strouf, David (Cheri) Strouf, and Carol (Guy) Maberry, and two sisters-in-law; Virginia Spika and Alice Spika; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many great friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two older brothers, Frank and Albert Spika.

Private graveside services for Leona Strouf will be held at a later date, cremation has taken place. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care of the hospice professionals. Friends are asked to make memorials Hospice of Central Montana or the charity of their choice and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family can be left at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.