Leona Mae Nelson Robertson

A true and lifelong Malta area native, Leona Mae Nelson Robertson passed away on February 12, 2018, due to complications of dementia and influenza.

Leona was born in Malta on March 7, 1928, and was raised until the age of seven on the Nelson Family Homestead in Content, Mont. Leona's family moved to Malta in 1935 where she has resided ever since. Her parents, Leonard B. Nelson born in Sweden and Christine M. Jacobsen Nelson born in South Dakota, had two more children, Bert and James. Leona also had an elder half-brother, Curtis who resided in Hamilton, Mont. Leona would say that the town of Content had one post office, one general store, and a small one-room school; Malta was a large city to her when they moved to town.

Graduating from high school at the early age of 16 in 1944, Leona had already developed her secretarial and bookkeeping skills by working for JC Penney and Trafton-Dorr during her high school years. She was especially proud of the experience of working as a legal secretary for the Honorable Judge James T. Harrison who became Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. Leona later worked for the Malta law firm Granat and Cole. Her close association with both Stephen Granat and Don Cole was a central part of her life and career. Her famous story of "out-typing" her new IBM Selectric Typewriter is a legend, and she would tell it with glee. Leona worked in the legal field for over 50 years until her retirement in 1996.

After a fateful meeting at Stine's Supper Club in Malta, Leona met Monte L. Robertson. They were married in November of 1968. Leona graciously and with love welcomed Monte's 16-year-old daughter, Lezlie, whom she later adopted. Monte passed away from cancer in 1990.

Leona's later years were filled with travel, visiting friends, dogs, walking, church activities, and helping with a grief support group. She had many good and kind friends in her beloved Malta. She was known especially for her spunk and love of "Ole and Lena" jokes among laughable others.

The family thanks especially all her caring friends who helped her over the years as she tried to adjust to the aging process and all its "surprises." We will remember her always with affection, respect for her accomplishments, vitality, and kindness. We know she is in a far better place, and, perhaps showing them a thing or two about a typewriter keyboard.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, husband Monte, brothers James, Curtis, Bert, and grandson Jay Solari. Leona is survived by her daughter, Lezlie (Andrew) Solari, great-grandchildren, Destiny (Rodney) Williams, Nicholas J. Solari, Isabella J. Solari, and great-great-grandson, Jameson T. Williams. She is also survived by several Nelson family nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were 11 a.m., Monday, February 19, 2018, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel in Malta. Interment was in the Malta Cemetery. As per her request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children Hospitals care of the Malta Shrine Club, 38094 Content Road, Malta, MT 59538. Condolences to the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.