Leona Grace Gill, 98, passed away on Oct. 19, 2016, in Bend, Ore. She was born on May 13, 1918, to George and Sylvia Koester, in Piqua, Kan., where she resided until moving to Los Angeles, Calif., in 1940. In June 1941, Leona met Howard Gill shortly before his deployment to the South Pacific. Upon his return, they were married in August 1945. After his discharge from the Navy, they moved to Klamath Falls, Ore., and had three children Lawrence, Debra and Gary Gene. In March 1966, Howard passed away. In 1974, Leona met Raymond Laird and they were together for 41 years. In Klamath Falls, Leona was a longtime beauty operator until her retirement in 1995. She was a volunteer with Klamath Hospice in the retail store until the age of 90. She attended St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. She loved her ceramics, crocheting, sewing and always had a book to read. She was known for her cooking and for always having an extra place at the table for visitors. Leona is survived by her son, Lawrence A. Gill (wife Audrey) of Portland, Ore.; her daughter, Debra A. Gill-Randle (husband Gary) of Bend; partner, Raymond Laird of Klamath Falls; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Gary Gene Gill, in 1984 and a grandson, Jason Lee Randle, in 1973. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Klamath Falls Hospice, 4745 S. Sixth St., Klamath Falls, OR 97603. Autumn Funerals in Bend has been entrusted with the arrangements.