Leota Marie Montgomery

Leota Marie Strahm Montgomery, 95, of Sabetha, Kansas died peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha.  Leota was born on the family farm in the Berwick, Kansas community on April 22, 1928, the youngest of eight children born to Joe and Ollie (Rokey) Strahm.  She received her early education at the Berwick School and then, she attended Sabetha High School.  During high school, Leota worked at Duckwall's Department Store in Sabetha, and she graduated from high school in 1946.  Following graduation, she worked for two years at the Nemaha County Cooperative Creamery office in Sabetha.

Leota and Edwin “Ed” Montgomery were married on February 15, 1948, and began their lives together on the farm west of Berwick.  Leota's previous town jobs ended as her life as a busy farm wife began.  She helped Ed with livestock chores, field work, and the building of their farmstead and farm business.  Leota and Edwin were blessed with three children, Ann Marcel, Jay Alan, and Ross Brian.  Leota was devoted to her family, and she supported her children in their various school and 4-H activities, and she encouraged their love and talent for music.  Leota and Ed expanded their dairy business, and created Leed's Holstein Farm, breeding a high-quality registered Holstein herd.

Leota and Ed were longtime members of the First Congregational Church, which later became the NorthRidge Church, in Sabetha.  Leota held numerous offices in Women's Fellowship and the Gideon's Auxiliary, and she also served on various church committees.   Leota loved music and often stated that, “the words and music of a song could preach a sermon to me.”  She faithfully served in the church choir and sang special music numbers at church services and funerals.

Deeply involved in the community, Leota was a member of Nemaha County Cattlewomen, the Berwick Home Benefit Unit, the Sabetha Hospital Guild, and was an active supporter of the activities of the Lucky Clover 4-H Club.  Leota loved visiting shut-ins, individuals convalescing from sickness, and residents of care homes in the Sabetha community.  She actively and consistently followed the school activities of her children and grandchildren and exerted a positive influence in their lives.

In their later years, Leota and Ed enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, visiting most of the states which included a cruise to Alaska, and a 40^th Anniversary trip to Hawaii in 1988.  They also enjoyed several Caribbean cruises as well as a trip to England.  Leota cheerfully accompanied Ed on these trips, although she often commented that, she could have just as easily “vacationed at home.”  In 2011, Leota and Ed moved to an apartment at the Apostolic Christian Retirement Village in Sabetha. 

Following Ed's death in August 2019, Leota remained in their apartment until she entered the Apostolic Christian Home in January 2021 where she remained until her death.

Leota was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ollie Strahm; her husband, Ed; her brothers and sisters, Reo Strahm, Irene Aberle, Lisateen Aberle, twins Verna and Vernon Strahm, Vila Meyer, and Art Strahm. 

Leota is survived by her daughter, Ann (Bill) Kent of Sabetha; her two sons, Jay (Dee) Montgomery of Tiffin Iowa, and Ross (Martha) Montgomery of Sabetha; her ten grandchildren, Rachael (Eddie) Donahou, Naomi Kent, Micah Kent, Justin (Jenny) Montgomery,  Jordan (Ashley) Montgomery, Emma (Derek) Surdez, Ellie (Zach) Robson, Jonah (Tori) Montgomery, Sky Smith, and Alec Dirks; her twelve great-grandchildren; her numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at NorthRidge Church in Sabetha.  A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Northridge Church.  Interment will be made in the Albany Cemetery, north of Sabetha.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the NorthRidge Church Missions sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.