Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Leona Black
Leona Black, 97, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND.
Leona was born on November 27, 1928 in Brantford, ND to Edwin and Etta Mae (Frazer) Tonn. She grew up and attended school in New Rockford, ND. She met William (Bill) Black on New Year’s Eve 1944 and they danced every dance. They married on October 19, 1947 in New Rockford. They farmed near Grace City, ND, until 2014. They raised four children: Rebecca, Barbara, Donetta and Kevin. They were married for 69 years.
Leona is survived by her daughters, Barbara Venarchick and Donetta Black, Casa Grande, AZ; son, Kevin (Judy) Black, Glenfield, ND; son-in-law, David Utke, Glenfield, ND; six grandchildren: Janna (Todd) Vetsch, Lebanon, MO, Brenna (Bryan) Coltrane, Silver City, NM, Joel (Holly) Utke, Glenfield, ND, Meghan McLaughlin, Hobbs, NM, Kim (Kip) Brandt, Anamoose, ND and Shane (Jessica) Black, McHenry, ND; fifteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William; her parents; four sisters: Vera (Frank) Hilbert, Evelyn (Ernest) Halvorson, Carol (Clayton) Nelson and Annie Lou (Norman) Anderson; three brothers: William Tonn, Edwin Tonn and Martin (Ann) Tonn; infant son, Robert; daughter, Rebecca Utke; son-in-law, Robert Venarchick.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND or a charity of your choice.
Leona’s Visitation will be Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 5:00-6:00PM followed by a Prayer Service at 6:00PM all at Lutheran Home of The Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND.
A Visitation will continue on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 1:00-2:00PM followed by a Funeral Service at 2:00PM Grace Lutheran Church, Grace City, ND.
Her Burial will be at the Grace City Cemetery following the Funeral Service, Grace City, ND.
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Leona was truly special and will forever remain in our memories.
We will always remember her warmth and laughter and how she treated us like family. Heaven has gained a beautiful soul.
Sending love and prayers as you honor her life.
Ansel and Peggy Hakanson
I loved Leona. While young and on leave from USAF, I worked on there farm, helped paint the house and worked their fields, including one that was the neighbors!!!! She was a great person, with a happy fun loving personality. May she rest in peace and join her family.
Kevin and all, Our deep sympathy in the loss of your mother. May you know the comfort of the Great Comforter and your precious memories.
Sincere condolences to the Black family! Always remembered (before I retired) running into Bill & Leona at the Denver airport as they were going to & from Arizona & the good visits we had.
Many thoughts and prayers for the family. I will miss my chats with Leona. My mother was a good friend and Leona and I would go down memory lane. Rest in Peace
That photo of Leona perfectly captured her oh-so-sweet forever-smile. I’ll miss her phone calls to Barb and Donetta that would “just happen” to arrive in the middle of our regularly-scheduled Friday night Scrabble games. Leona called them “Squabble” games and insisted we were each to win one game…fair and balanced Leona!
Such a beautiful lady who lived a full well lived life. She will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy to you all. Roger and Linda Lauckner
Though I only got to meet her a few times. I will always remember the conversations I’ve had with her. I’m proud to be apart of the Marie line love you great grandma. You will be missed 🕊️
I loved her so much. Her spirit made me laugh every day at work. I am very sad to see this, but so happy for her to be reunited with the love of her life up above. I know she missed him dearly. Sincere condolences to her lovely and supportive family. She was so proud of each and every one of you.
Leona will be greatly missed. So enjoyed our phone conversations and laughs. Also remember the fun times we either visited your farm at Grace City or your family came to our farm at New Rockford. Really cherish those moments. So glad I got to see her and all of you a couple of times before she passed.