Leola Dora Lundstrum
Leola Dora Lundstrum, formerly of Nashville, passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s on June 2, 2017 at Sugarbush House in Flint. Leola was born on April 5, 1924 to Sherman Leroy Tidd and Delilah Bell Kelley in Grand Ledge. Leola finished the 10th grade, and then graduated from the Melba Academy of Beauty Culture, in Lansing. She worked as a beautician in Lansing near the Capitol, where she would give manicures to politicians and hairstyles to their wives.
She married the love of her life, Gerald Raymond Lundstrum on September 9, 1944 at the People’s Church in East Lansing. Leola was a dedicated mother and farm wife, supporting her husband in his agricultural endeavors, including driving tractor herself. She was a maple syrup producer with her husband, and made many dishes with maple syrup, including pie, popcorn balls, and spring lettuce topped with maple syrup and brown sugar.
She loved hummingbirds and flowers, especially gladiolus, rhododendrons, and peonies. She had an affinity for a particular shade of blue, and painted many things that color. She decorated extensively for Christmas and hand-made Christmas ornaments which she would give to friends and family.
Leola was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her two sisters, Leona Deyarmond and Mildred Root; brother, Sherman Valentine Tidd; and son in-law, Richard Graham.
She is survived by children, Clifford (Mary) Lundstrum and Vickie Graham; grandchildren, Russell (Jenni) Lundstrum, Autumn (Darren) Bagley, Cynthia (Ian) Vissers; and seven great-grandchildren, Brandon and Emily Lundstrum, Lonna and Orion Bagley, and Jack, Sam, and Ryan Vissers.
Leola was loved by members of her blended family, Jacqueline (David) Sandiford and Allison, Amanda and Molly Sandiford.
Memorial services will be held at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Friday, June 16 at 11 a.m. Coffee hour, to share memories of Leola will begin at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at Eaton Area Senior Center.
The family wishes to make a special thanks to both Sugarbush House and Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their loving care of Leola.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Leola on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.