Donna Jean Leake

Donna Jean Leake, 92, of Emerado, ND, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. Donna was born October 17, 1924, in Grand Forks, the only child of Lawrence & Mable (Lund) McGrath.  She graduated from the Emerado High School and furthered her education with a Teacher’s Certificate from Mayville State and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from UND. She married Allen Leake on October 21, 1945, in her childhood house, and they reaffirmed their vows in the same spot on their anniversary 50 years later.  They made their home on the family farm south of Emerado, where they raised 4 children. Their home away from home was a cabin at Northwest Angle, Minnesota. Donna taught school in North Dakota in Crary, Chester Township 97,  Emerado and for the Grand Forks Public Schools on the GFAFB. After she retired from teaching elementary school, Donna volunteered teaching at the adult education program in Grand Forks.  She also traveled the world, touring China, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.  Donna loved trees, planting miles of spruce windbreaks on the farm.  She loved nature, her flower and vegetable gardens, and baking treats for her family. Donna is survived by her sons, Thomas (Diane) Leake, Lonnie Leake, Todd (Sue) Leake all of rural Emerado; daughter, Laurene (Steve) Thorson of Louisville, CO; daughter-in-law, Debra Leake of Spencer, IA; grandchildren, Shannon (Don) Baugh, Shawn (Julie) Leake, Kyle Leake, Kelby Leake, Kelsey Leake, Trevor Thorson, Tanner Thorson, Tyler (Natalie) Thorson, Skye Leake, Mica Leake; great-grandchildren, Andrew Franks, Megan Baugh, Ian Baugh, Ava Thorson, Aidan Leake and Reese Leake. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Allen. **In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to make a future donation to the church in her name. FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Emerado Presbyterian Church in Emerado. VISITATION: One hour prior to the service in the church.  INTERMENT: Emerado Cemetery, Emerado, ND.