Wegner, Leota A.

Our beloved mother, Leota A. Wegner, 78, passed away in Port Orchard, Wash., July 10, 2008 with her family by her side. Leota was born Sept. 12, 1929 in Elgin, ND, to Edwin and Helen (Dittus) Sept. She graduated from Elgin HS in 1947. On June 6, 1948 Leota was married to Herbert H. Wegner in Leith, ND. The farmed and raised cattle on the Wegner homestead for 13 years. They had two daughters, Cherelyn and Darla. In 1961, the family moved to Polson where Herb and Leota operated the Lake Enco Service Station for seven years. Leota worked at the Grill Cafe and Don's Variety in the luncheonette.

Eventually, they opened Herb's Auto Clinic at the end of Main Street. Leaving Polson in 1973, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa to be near their daughters.

Surviving are daughters Cherelyn K (Robert) Ferguson of Des Moines, IA and Darla D. (Houston) Carter of Port Orchard, Wash.

Surviving grandchildren: Angela (David) Apleget of Des Moines, Iowa; Jamie (Alan) Byer of Gig Harbor, Wash.; Scott (Shawna) Ferguson of Des Moines, Iowa; Matthew (Heather) Williams of Tacoma, Wash.; and Michael (Astacia) Carter of Puyallup, Wash.

Surviving great-grandchildren: Rocky, Darra, Emelia, Paul, Dean, Makayla, Alexa, Kalina, Natalia, Julianna, Jake, Luke and Braxton.

Also surviving are her three brothers, all from Montana. Lloyd (Janice) Sept of Corvallis, Wallace (Darlice) Sept of Missoula and Donald Sept of Superior.

Mom will always be remembered as the "Best Darn German Cook and Baker" in the country. It was her greatest thrill to feed an "army" of friends and family and see the pleasure it brought them. We remember her never-ending support through our lives. No matter what we needed, she was always there for us.

Leota had a real knack for adopting her daughter's friends as her own kids. Donna, Judy, Needie, Duskie, Sharon, Ronnie, Rae, Leonard, Cody, Brad, Debi, Kathy, Jimmy, Kasey, Alan and Dusty, just to mention a few. She was an avid fan and supporter of the Polson High School classes of 1967 and 1969, which were her daughters classes. She also had a special friend, Dawna, with whom she shared never-ending laughter and, sometimes, tears. To all of you, please know that she loved you and spoke of you often.

Our beautiful Mother was laid to rest beside our Father at Sunset Lane Memorial Park in Port Orchard, Wash., on July 18,2008.

You are in our hearts forever, Mom.

Online memorial at www.rill.com.