Leona Wutzke

Leona Alta Wutzke, 92, went home to her Heavenly Father on September 18, 2025.

A Funeral Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 904 8th Ave SE, Mandan, on Thursday, September 25, at 10:30 AM. To view the service livestream please click on the link provided ~ Leona Wutzke

Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Service, on Wednesday, September 24, from 5-9 PM and will continue one hour prior to service.

Burial will be held at North Dakotas Veterans Cemetery.

Leona was born on September 6, 1933, to John and Justina Roehl on the family farm south of New Leipzig, ND. She was the youngest of 16 children.

On May 8, 1955, Leona married Elmor Wutzke and together, they had seven children. Over the years, they made their home in New Leipzig, ND; Lemmon, SD; Thunder Hawk, SD; Mott, ND; Elgin, ND—where they spent over 50 years—and finally Bismarck, ND. In her later years, Leona resided at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center.

During the early years of their marriage, Leona worked on their farm. She later worked in janitorial roles at Farmer’s Union, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and the Elgin Community Center. However, the job she cherished most was raising her children and caring for her grandchildren. Faith was the foundation of Leona’s life. She was a devoted member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elgin and later Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mandan. Her love for worship ran deep—she knew many hymns by heart, some in German, and found joy in singing them whenever she could. Leona also lived out her faith through service, giving generously of her time as a 50-year member of the Dakota Lions Club, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and as part of Germans from Russia.

Leona was a woman of strength and perseverance. She faced life’s challenges with the heart of a fighter, never letting hardships break her. She was well known for sharing her opinion, her joyful presence at family gatherings, and her love of chicken feet and angel food cake. She enjoyed having coffee with friends, reading, baking, canning, and she never turned down a chance to challenge her family and friends to a game of cards, aggravation or bingo—where her competitive nature quickly showed. She will be dearly missed by her children: Ricky (Beth) Wutzke, Nancy (Craig) Theurer, Luella (Darrell) Theurer, David (Laurie) Wutzke, Donna (Maynard) Roll, and Jerry (Robin) Wutzke; her 30 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her sister-in-law, Violet (Vi) Veitz.

Leona’s family takes comfort in knowing she is now reunited in heaven with her husband, Elmor; her son, Randy Ray; her parents; her seven sisters; eight brothers; two sisters-in-law; and four brothers-in-law.

Her legacy of love, strength, and faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mandan or the American Legion Auxiliary.