Leona June Pearson

Leona June Pearson, 75 of La Grande, died Oct. 8 in the family home surrounded by her children and other loved ones.

Leona was born July 28, 1934, to Harry and Rose Breeden in Worley, Idaho. She was married to Garnet Black May 1950 through 1970. She married Benjamin F. Pearson July of 1979.

Leona was a rollerskate car hop at the boat drive-in in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and was voted queen of her rollerskate club, the Lake City Rollers, in 1946. She worked in many restaurants including the Royal Cafe, Corner Cafe and Truck Stop, Sunshine Inn, Broken Wheel, B&M and Ann's Cafe, all in Kellogg, and Fancy Dan's. She owned the Bazaar Boutique on Adams Avenue for seven years.

Leona retired as cook at the Union County Jail in 1999.

Leona loved to bowl and was a member of many bowling leagues. She loved her trips to the nationals, which were like mini vacations for her. Her daughters, Genie and Lenora, shared a few of these times with her.

Lenora enjoyed her time spent with her husband, Ben, while fishing on the Snake and Columbia rivers in their boat. She was known by her grandchildren as the Spark Plug Grandma since she used spark plugs for sinkers while fishing for catfish.

She also loved the times spent with her family at Central Ferry, Farewell Bend and Wallowa for family reunions.

Leona is survived by her children, Genie and Gary Seymour of La Grande, Lenora and George House of Bend, Dan and Ruby Black of Kellogg, Idaho, Tim Black at the family home in La Grande, Larry and Holly Black of Florence, Lou Street of Hermiston, Christie Montero of Eugene, Arna and Gene Pitsner of Moses Lake, Wash., and Joe and Sheryl Curtis of La Grande; one brother, Jack and his wife, Norma Breeden, of Washington; two sisters, Melvina Cameron of Athol, Idaho, and Sharon and her husband, Ray Dingman, of Post Falls, Idaho; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Benjamin Pearson; son, Kim Black; one brother; two sisters; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren

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