Leanora Mae Umfleet was beautiful.
She was born on Jan 25, 1938 to Kenneth and Mearl Kinnamon, in Fort Riley, Kansas. Leanora grew up with four brothers, Kenneth, Terry, Phil and Jim. She graduated from Newcastle High School, Newcastle, OK, in 1956 as Valedictorian, and then from Hillcrest Medical School of Nursing, Tulsa, OK, with honors in 1959. She received her B.A. from Stephens College, Columbia, MO in 1986.
At church, in Bethany, OK, she caught the eye of Clark Umfleet. On their first date, she made fun of his last name. He said, “Don’t laugh, it might be yours someday.” On their second date, he proposed. They married on December 30th, 1960. Together, they had five boys, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage.She was a loving wife, a great mother, an outdoorswoman and a faithful follower of Christ.
As an outdoorswoman, she was a bowhunter, long before it was popular or common for woman to bowhunt. One of her sons was once asked if he was a mama’s boy. He responded, “Well, my mom likes to hunt and to fish and to golf and to be outdoors. So, yeah! I guess I’m a mama’s boy.” Leanora shot her last archery deer in the fall of 2000. The buck was up the hill beyond a few does. So she just asked the ladies not to mind her as she walked up past them to go shoot the buck. They didn’t, and she did!
As a mother, she did it all. I doubt any of her sons ever paid for a haircut until they were away at college. Even then, if they could get away with it, they let it grow until they came home. And, after they were married, trips home to mom still meant a haircut, and often a patch or two on a couple pair of jeans. But, don’t think she was a push over. She had four brothers growing up, and then five sons to raise. And with them all, she held her own!
As a wife, she was an amazing role model of faithfulness and love. Clark and Leanora did everything together. They were hunting partners, fishing partners, golf partners. For many years he labored in the garden, and she would reward his efforts with something homemade from the fruits of his garden, like strawberry rhubarb pie. When her abilities were lost to dementia, he taught himself to make the pies. Not for himself, but for her. Many times he would say, “I made a couple of pies today. Take the one from up on the shelf, before your mom gets it. She ate the other one all by herself.”
As a follower of Christ, Leanora lived an abundant life, faithful and well deserving of the reward of Heaven. Her last night, she closed her eyes at the end of a long day. Her memories were all gone, her body weary and worn, and her final fight with dementia about over. The next morning, Tuesday, January 16, she opened her eyes to the glory of Christ. With her mind and body restored, she knelt before Him, and with her tongue confessed Jesus as Lord. The gates of Heaven opened, and she heard the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” She now lives eternally in the great reward of Heaven, forever in the presence and love of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Leanora was preceded in death by her husband Clark, by her parents Kenneth and Mearl, by her siblings, Kenneth, Marcus, Terry and Phil, and by her eldest son, Rob. She is survived by her sons and their wives, Dave and Lisa, Rick, Jim and Diana, and Mark and Dori; by her daughter-in-law Janna; by her grandchildren, Robbie, Bethany, Jabin (Ally), Naomi (Alex), Isaiah, Solomon and Cole, and by her great granddaughter, Hazel June.
A memorial service for Leanora Umfleet will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 am, at The Point church in Forsyth, Montana. Flowers can be sent to The Point, 148 W. Cedar St. in Forsyth. Cards can be mailed to The Umfleet Family, PO Box 1209, Forsyth, MT 59327. Memorial donations can be made in her honor to The Back Roads Parish, PO Box 945, Forsyth, MT 59327.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 AM
Saturday January 27, 2024
The Point Church
148 West Cedar Street
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 AM
Saturday January 27, 2024
The Point Church
148 West Cedar Street
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Marcia Heydt says
Rest in Peace, Mrs. Umfleet. I have many fond memories of church with you and your family. My condolences to the Umfleet family.
Debbie Anderson says
I am so sorry Mark and Dori for the loss of this special mom in your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Knowing that she is in heaven with Jesus waiting for you all to join her will be a comfort. Keep your memories close.
Marilyn Mader says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know it’s hard, but more and more I think how lucky they are to be in heaven. I will be praying for you as you go through these months ahead. Hugs to you!
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Peggy R. & Earl M. says
Praying you will find hope in His promises of eternal life. May His ever-present love bring you peace. May the heartfelt prayers of others bring you comfort now, and in the days ahead.