Leanna Carolyn Sather

Leanna C. Sather, 92, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away September 16, 2015 at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. Leanna Myrtle Carolyn Hendrickson was born February 24, 1923 in Rock Lake, ND to Fannie Alena (Johnson) Hendrickson and Henry Hendrickson (Juntunen). Both parents came from Finland. She was the last and number 13 of 14 children. She attended high school while living on the family farm north of Rock Lake, ND. She married Gerald H. O'Brien on October 5, 1940. They had three children, Jerry Dale, Merrie Dawn and Kelly Jan. Gerald passed away Jan. 26, 1957 and Kelly passed away on Jan. 22, 2007. She was honored by the birth of 6 grandchildren (Jason Dale, Heather Lee, Jess Everett, Bradley Paul, Joshua Aaron, and Bjorn Alexander) and numerous great-grandchildren. She was a "fighter" and a traveler from the beginning of her marriage by following Gerald in his Army service career to Louisiana, California and Washington with her new born son during WWII. Returning to ND where they lived in Alsen, Leeds and Grand Forks while Gerald ran grain elevators. When Gerald passed away she had to maintain a family through years of struggle and hard work. She went to Aaker's Business School and learned to be a secretary and her last job was secretary to President Fred Orth of First National Bank. On Jan. 2, 1966 she married Jack I. Sather and during their years of marriage they traveled overseas and all over the United States. They had a right sized RV and so they could take their home along and return to Grand Forks to catch their breath. Jack passed away in 1985 and so she lived alone for 30 years. During those years she was very active at United Lutheran Church. She was always a seamstress making clothes for her grandchildren and many quilts. She used to swim at the Y even though she was never comfortable in the water. She decided she wanted to paint so she took classes with the Grand Forks Rec. Dept. and produced many paintings, copying from the post cards or pictures in a book. Another great achievement was the family history book she produced for the Hendrickson's and O'Brien's. This she had copied and shared with many members of the extended family. She suffered a fall on Aug. 30 and again the "fighter" began to struggle with the close of life which occurred September 16, 2015. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24 at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. VISITATION: One hour prior to the service at the church. INURNMENT: Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.