Leona Francis Houle, 84, of Cando, ND, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at her home in Cando.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando, ND.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Loena was born and raised on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.  She was a boarding school survivor, having spent time in Flandreau, SD.  She attended school in Belcourt, ND and was active as a cheerleader in Football and Basketball.  She married Dennis Paul Houle and started a family, moving with him to St. Paul, MN.  After divorcing him, she moved to the Cando area to be close to her mother, Eva.  As a long-time Cando resident, she was well known due to her many jobs which include-Cando Nursing Home, Bob's Super Value, Gordy's Bar and Cando Golf Course to name a few.  In recent years as her health declined, she still enjoyed socializing with friends at Gordy's and occasionally visited a local casino.

Leona is survived by sons Vernon, Dennis, James and Joey; daughters Lori, Lynn, Linda and Pam; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her mother Eva, sisters Janie, Cecelia, son Glen and daughter Janice.

"They are not dead, who live in the hearts they leave behind."