May 22, 1933 - February 1, 2023

Leona (Baker- Hageman) Brown passed away February 1, 2023 at Seven Sisters Living Center at Hot Springs, S.D.

May 22, 1933 Leona Mae Baker was born in a home birth near Harrison, Neb. to parents Gladys (Beck) and Jack Baker.  She was a little sister to Wilma and Billy.  She attended school in Crawford, Neb. and graduated in 1950. Following graduation she moved to Hot Springs to pursue becoming a nurse. While at the Old Lutheran Hospital she met Curtis Hageman who changed her plans.

In October, 1951 she married Curtis Hageman from Oral, S.D. They had three children, Wayne, Chris and Bernard. During these years she worked on the farm at Oral and later employed as a cook at Maverick Junction. Leona was an active member of the Oral (Prairie View) United Methodist Church, Oral Daylighters Extension Club, Republican Party, and participated in many community activities.  In 1980 Curtis died following years of poor health as a result of a farm accident. 

In 1985 Leona married Robert Brown and moved to Hot Springs where she owned and operated the Sandstone Eatery.  Upon retirement Leona was active in the Fall River County Historical Museum, quilting, and the Federation of the Blind.  Robert passed away of cancer in 2015.   

Leona is preceded in death by her father, mother, brother and sister; son, Bernard,; and husbands, Curtis and Robert and step daughter, Cindy.

Leona is survived by sons, Wayne (Sally) and Chris (Cheryl); step son, Charlie; grandchildren, Richard, Mark, Leigh Ann; and step granddaughter, Sonja; 19 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.   

A celebration of Leona’s life will be held March 10, 11 a.m., at Prairie View Methodist Church at Smithwick, S.D. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery near Oral. Memorials have been established for the Prairie View Church or Fall River County Historical Museum. 

Arrangements have been placed in the hands of Chamberlain-McColley’s Funeral Home.