Leona B. Hedge, 97, of Wessington, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.

Her Mass of Christian Burial was on Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron. Burial was in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery at Wessington. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. A Rosary and Wake Service was held Wednesday evening, at Kuhler Funeral Home.

Leona Bernice Runge was born March 2, 1925, to August and Bertha (Plasmier) Runge at Kimball. At an early age, the family moved to Minnesota. She attended school at Arco and Tyler, Minn., and graduated from Tyler High School.

She married Vernon Hedge on March 2, 1943, at St. Dionysius Church at Tyler, Minn. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Wessington, and lived on various farms.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, St. Joseph’s Altar Society, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and a former member of Jolly Quilters Club.

Leona is survived by her six children, Sharon (Ray) Ross of Wessington, Linda (Leonard) Hancock of Mt. Vernon, Dean (Mary Ann) Hedge of Wessington, Kent (Sharon) Hedge of Huron, Diane (Robert) Kokesh of Woonsocket and Randy (Karen) Hedge of Custer; one sister, Gloria Mundt of Shakopee, Minn.; nineteen grandchildren; innumerable great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Runge and Bonnie Runge; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002; her parents; three grandsons, Justin Hedge, Darwin and Bradley Hancock; four brothers, Donald, Norman, Lawrence and Richard Runge; four sisters, Violet Wells, Lorraine Mehling, Jean Langbehn and Betty Hansen; five brothers-in-law, Richard Mehling, Eugene Wells, Harold Langbehn, Dean Hansen and Jack Mundt; two sisters-in-law, Florence and Mary Runge; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.