Leona Minnie 'Toots' Kienitz

Leona Minnie Kienitz "Toots," 97, went home to be with the lord on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, at the Grandview in Great Falls with her family by her side.

The family will receive friends at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Kirkwood Funeral Home in Malta. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Malta Lutheran Church. Interment will be after the reception at the church, in the Grandview Cemetery in Saco at 2 p.m. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

She was born on June 24, 1917, to Otto and Lizzie (Prechel) Kienitz, Valleytown, Mont., homesteaders. She spent most of her life with her family in Montana with the exception of a 15-year period in Bremerton, Wash., where she was employed at Payless Drug Store.

She was an avid gardener, seamstress and rug weaver. She and her family were very innovative and wove over 5,000 rugs from rags on a loom constructed by her father using scrap material. She lived her faith daily and was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved sister, Luella, and her dear friend, Albert Flansaas, who passed away in May of 2013.

She leaves to mourn her death, her long time personal friends, Art and Carolyn Folden; Albert's family; several first and second cousins residing back east.

Kirkwood Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.