Early Saturday morning, May 10, Mrs. Lea Nordstrom (Ruana) passed peacefully in her sleep; surrounded by her son Steve Nordstrom, daughter Amy Carlstrom and son-in-law, Matt Carlstrom. Born 1940 in Bonner, MT to Rudolph “Rudy” Ruana and Helmi Ruana, Lea was the youngest of a family of five children, brothers Ray, Dennis, Rudolph “Pinky” Jr., and sister Ilona.
Lea grew up skiing and playing on the “Flats” of Bonner with her siblings and friend’s. Upon graduating from Bonner High School in 1958, Lea went to work for the Forestry Service as a typist.
Shortly after starting work for the Forestry Service, she met Paul Nordstrom; and would become his wife. After their wedding, Lea and Paul moved to Fort Dix in New Jersey to complete Paul’s ROTC enlistment. While in New Jersey, Lea gave birth to Kenneth Nordstrom. Lea and Paul then moved to Billings, MT as Paul pursued his Masters and Doctorate degrees. While in Billings, Lea gave birth to Steven Nordstrom two years later. Three years later, Lea and Paul were blessed with Amy Nordstrom. Lea and her family would settle in Brookings, South Dakota to raise the kids. After Paul’s retirement in 1999 as the President of the University of Maine at Machias, Lea and Paul would settle in Corvallis, MT, in a house Lea designed, that was built by her brother Dennis and Nephews Dennis “Buddy” Ruana, Donald Ruana and David Ruana.
Lea loved being a mom and a grandma. Lea was a gifted seamstress and quilter. Lea took great pride in making beautiful quilts for the graduating seniors who attended her church, Faith Lutheran in Hamilton, MT, as well as others.
When it came to Christmas, Lea was like a little kid in her passion for the season and what it represented. To say Lea was “All In!” for The Season is an understatement! Lea would start planning her Christmas decorations around Halloween, and start pulling her decorations out of storage in the middle of November. The day after
Thanksgiving, well for Lea, it was “Pre-Christmas” in November, she’d begin putting out her Christmas villages, with soft white batting around them, she’d get her Christmas train going and the lights on in the windows…And then she’d really start decorating…The sparkle in her eyes and joy on her face when the family would arrive for Christmas day dinner was a gift to everyone who attended.
Lea Nordstrom leaves behind a great many friends from quilting at the church, the bridge club and many neighbors from wherever she’d lived.
Lea was preceded in heaven by her parents, Helmi and Rudolph Ruana, her husband Paul Nordstrom, her brothers Ray and Dennis Ruana.
Lea is survived by her sons Kenneth Nordstrom (Tracy), Steve Nordstrom (Jeanie), daughter Amy Carlstrom (Matt), grandchildren Rachel Nordstrom, Jennifer Keating, Jordan Gay and Kaitlin Wangen, Kaylie Wiseman and Trent Jarmon.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either Faith Lutheran Church, Hamilton, MT or the American Cancer Society, in Lea’s name.
