Leona Ann Bishop went to be with her Lord and Savior on Aug. 23, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. She was born on June 12, 1947, at the old Elma hospital to Robert and Dorothy (Smith) Springer.
Later in her young life, she was fostered and taken into the James and Marjorie (Maxine) Apukka household where she was loved dearly as one of their own. This loving care shaped her into a strong and confident young woman.
Leona graduated from Weatherwax (Aberdeen) High School in 1965.
Leona met Verle (Ed) Bishop at Tawanoh State Park in the summer of 1966. They fell in love and married Sept. 10, 1967, in Hoquiam, Washington.
Leona worked for 52 years as a beautician on the Harbor. Leona loved making her customers beautiful and listening as they shared their lives. She was a trusted ear and a faithful friend.
Ed and Leona had two daughters, Pamela and Angela, whom they put at the center of their lives and built a loving family.
Leona was an immensely talented woman. She sewed clothes for her family and extended family, including both of her daughter’s wedding dresses. She was well-known as the family baker and pies were her specialty.
Leona enjoyed many activities with her friends and family, including: playing Pinochle, camping, going to car shows, traveling and as many family dinners as possible.
Leona will be greatly missed by many but mostly by her husband Ed, daughters Pamela (Tim) Pelan and Angela (Brian)Forkum; grandchildren Tim Pelan Jr., Emilee Pelan, Dylan (Cameron) Moodenbaugh and Jackson Moodenbaugh; two great-grandsons Aksel and Atticus Moodenbaugh, sister Robin (George) Smith, brothers James (Barbara) Apukka Jr. and Raymond (Veronica) Springer and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Leona was also blessed with a 60-year dear friendship with James (Okie) and Paula Thompson, whom she saw as family.
Leona was preceded in death by her biological mother Dorothy McWillis, her adoptive parents James and Maxine Apukka, brothers Joe and Ed, and sister Sandi.
Saturday, Sept. 2nd there will be a memorial for Leona at 11 a.m. at the Wishkah Valley Community Church, (4281 Wishkah Rd., Aberdeen, WA 98520).
Leona was a long-time member and she walked with Jesus as a living testament to her faith right until the day she passed.
The family asks that all donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to the Wishkah Valley Fire Department. They went above and beyond to be of service in the past year.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
