Leona Clara Davidson

SPEARFISH - Leona Clara Davidson, 83, died Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Rapid City Regional Hospital of complications from pneumonia. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish, with Pastor Kent Stillson officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Custer, following the services. Leona Clara Ostby was born Jan. 2, 1925, in South St. Paul, Minn., to Severt and Lily Ostby. Leona was one of 12 children. Leona's mother died when she was eleven and she was raised by family members in northeastern South Dakota and Minnesota. Leona was married to Max Sieger Sept. 5, 1946, in Custer. Max and Leona had three children, Vicki, Robert and Lela. Leona raised her family and worked in local cafes and stores in Custer. On Nov. 29, 1968, Leona married Donald Davidson in Casper, Wyo. Leona worked with Don running Don's 66 and Davidson Logging in Custer. In 1980, Leona moved to Spearfish to be near her family. She lived at Willow and the Hickory House in Spearfish for 27 years. Leona worked for a number of years for Green Thumb, assisting at the Hickory House. In October 2007, Leona moved to Edgewood Vista Senior Living in Spearfish. Leona was a lifelong Lutheran and was a charter member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship in Custer. Leona was also a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish. At the Hickory House, Leona assisted with church services, including communion, for a number of years. Leona was known for her excellent cooking and homemaking skills. Many family members and friends also received one of her beautiful crocheted afghans. Leona is survived by her children, Vicki (Jimmy) Vaughan, Freeport, Fla., Robert (Mary) Sieger, Durango, Colo., and Lela (Jerry) Holcomb, Aberdeen; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Soren Ostby, Spearfish; and two sisters, Mavis Lombardi of Silverton, Ore., and Leila Vruno, St. Paul, Minn. A memorial has been established to Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the Hickory House in Spearfish. The Aldinger Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Spearfish has been entrusted with the arrangements. Published in Rapid City Journal on July 2, 2008