Dorothy Leon

MADISON/ONALASKA-Dorothy (Skogen) Leon, age 99, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at University Hospital. She was born on June 20, 1917, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Orris and Gladys (Nelson) Skogen. She married Maurice Leon on July 9, 1949. Dorothy grew up in Onalaska and graduated from Onalaska High School. She went on to obtain a bachelor's degree from UW-LaCrosse. Dorothy taught elementary school for 13 years. She was a passionate gardener and had a beautiful garden that many friends and neighbors admired. Dorothy enjoyed growing and giving away plants to neighbors and friends. She was an extremely good cook, and especially loved baking. Dorothy enjoyed traveling the country and parts of Europe, especially where she and Maurice had roots. She was a real lady, always wearing a dress or skirt, even when gardening. Dorothy was a member of PEO, The Gudrid Reading Circle, and VASA. She was also a member of Bethel Lutheran Church for 65 years where she taught Sunday school, belonged to Beth Keyes Circle and served on the Bethel Foundation, church council and Bethel Woman's Organization; as well as a volunteer at Oakwood, and served as president of the Oakwood Service League. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Ann Leon; sisters, Marjorie Prieur, Beverly (Richard) Fuhrman and Carol Rodgers; brother-in-law, Harold Roed; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Maurice; brother, Paul (Jane) Skogen; sister, Mary Roed; and brothers-in-law, W.B. "Bud" Prieur and Roy Rodgers. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Halfway Creek Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church Food Pantry or Media Ministry. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420