Leona Niemeyer

Leona Niemeyer, 89-year-old resident of Long Prairie, MN, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at her home in Long Prairie, MN. Arrangements for Leona are pending with the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN. Leona Mae Palm was born on June 28, 1936, near Swanville in Burnhamville Township to the late Albert and Florence (Stoll) Palm. A couple of her uncles nicknamed her Dolly because she was so small. Her growing up years were spent on a farm south of Swanville. Leona attended grade school in Burtrum, graduated from high school from Swanville in 1954, and after three years graduated from St. Cloud Teacher College. She taught second grade for two years in Mora, Minnesota. Leona married Henry Niemeyer on July 25, 1959 in Swanville. Henry was a telegrapher for the railroad, which took them to three states in their first year of marriage. They eventually settled in Glendive, Montana, where all four of their children were born and raised. The family vacationed for many years in Minnesota, visiting family around the area and helping on the Palm family farm. She was baptized in the First Congregational Church in Glendive, where she taught Sunday School, was active in many fellowship groups for women, and served on various church boards. She was also a member of the Women of the Moose. When Henry retired in 1993, they moved back to Minnesota to the Long Prairie area on a hobby farm, which was their pride and joy for many years. She enjoyed time in her vegetable and flower gardens. Frozen apple cider was a family treat. They moved into Long Prairie in 2014. After returning, she reestablished her family connection with the Swanville Bible Church. Leona liked to cook, bake, and sew for her family, quilt, do hand crafts and embroidery. She spent time doing word searches and jigsaw puzzles. She especially enjoyed when family and grandchildren could come visit, giving her an opportunity to make special meals or treats. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Nancy (Terry) Pedersen of Glendive, Montana, Sharon (Tom) Neel of Panora, Iowa, Gayle Zickuhr of Billings, Montana, and daughter-in-law, Jolee Niemeyer of Bismarck, North Dakota; grandchildren, Breanne and Emily Neel, Chelsey and Kyle Niemeyer, Nicholas Zickuhr, and one great-granddaughter, Emily Zickuhr. She is also survived by her brother, Glenn (Arlene) Palm; sisters-in-law, Darlene Palm, Aggie Palm, Ann Burger, Beatrice Rahn; brother-in-law, Andy Staricka, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry; son, Kevin; siblings, Francis (Sandy), Judith Heisick (Ervin Koehn and Raymond), Herb (Dorothy), Betty Staricka, Scotty, and David, as well as many of Henry’s family.

Tributes

Leona Niemeyer

June 28, 1936 - April 22, 2026