Leona Kanski, 75, Dickinson, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Leona’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. William Ruelle as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a rosary & vigil at 6 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service with Deacon Kris Ringwall presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
She was born on September 30, 1944 to Leo and Isabella Fitterer in Dickinson. She was raised on the family farm near Schefield.
On September 28th, 1968, she married Harry Kanski at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Fairfield. Harry and Leona created many memories during their 51 years. The couple lived in Pinedale, Wyo. for a number of years before settling down and purchasing their home in Dickinson, where they raised their two sons, Eric and Cory.
Leona enjoyed cooking, baking, fishing, the outdoors, QVC shopping and a warm cup of coffee or tea while she visited with friends and family. At the end of the day she also enjoyed a single beer poured in a glass with two ice cubes. Leona was known for her smile, sense of style and her strong work ethic. Over the years she worked at a Country General Store, Baker Boy, The Dickinson Press, Kmart and had her own cleaning business. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Leona’s deep faith and love of God was strong even as she took her final breath. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors include her husband, Harry, Dickinson; two sons and their families, Eric (Kristi) Kanski, West Fargo, Cory (Kirstin) Kanski, Andover, Minn. Her siblings: Ronald (Patti) Fitterer, Richard (Cindy) Fitterer, LaVerne Binstock, Luella (Ed) Weber, and Linda (Roger) Portscheller and a sister-in-law Jane Fitterer. Her sisters-in-law Ann (Roy) Basaraba, Betty Haverluk, Sister Rose Kanski, Janice (Steve) Kanski. Her grandchildren: Jadie and Alyssa (Eric), Regan, Ethan, Kennedy and Kylee (Cory). Great-Grandchildren: Brennan, Liam, Everly and Emrie.
She was preceded in death by her son, Perry Kanski; her parents, Leo and Isabella; brother, Robert Fitterer; sister, Loretta Bezdicek; brothers and sisters-in-law, William Kanski, Sam and Margaret Kanski, Walt and Helen Malkowski, Brother John Kanski, Pete and Martha Kanski, William and Josephine Klym, Nick Kanski, Steve Kanski, Paul Haverluk, Fred Kanski, Tom and Irene Klym and Gordon Binstock.
