Leona "Ollie" Freed

Leona "Ollie" ( Prince)  Freed was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

She left this world suddenly to be with the lord, Jesus Christ on December 23rd, 2021 at the age of 69 at St. Boniface hospital.

She was born to Rufus Prince and Grace Siha on November 14th, 1952 in Long Plain, Manitoba. She has 3 brothers and 5 sisters.

Leona has 6 children, five who she leaves to mourn; Randy (Glenda), Apryl (Sheldon), Elizabeth (Eric), Sonia (Ashley), and Tania (Aaron) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Leona was predeceased by her husband Glen Freed, her son, Allan Freed. Her daughter, Diane Prince and granddaughter, Jerilyn Roulette. Her parents, Rufus Prince and Grace Siha. Brother, Earl Prince and sister, Betty Traverse.

She grew up in Portage la Prairie and found the love of her life in 1988. Glen Freed, who she married and help raise her six children as his own. Leona finished her education and studied Computer Analyst at Devry in Calgary before becoming a nurses aide. Her and her husband and children lived in Calgary for many years before moving back to her hometown Portage la Prairie where she resided for the rest of her life.

Leona worked at Lions Prairie Manor in Portage la Prairie for over 20 years. She loved her job and retired in 2016. After she retired she cared for four of her great grandchildren who resided with her.

During the late 1990s Leona was the national voice for the First Nations Accountability Coalition, with support from the Reform Party, her voice  drew international media coverage.

In her years of running her coalition she would travel all over Canada going to different reserves and cities and even attending the house of Commons in Ottawa, where she was given a standing ovation from parliamentarians in the House of Commons.

Leona has long been a powerful voice for ordinary First Nations people,  She was the driving force behind outraged FN women from more than 300 bands who, in 1998, were demanding an end to band council corruption and abuses in their communities.

Her hobbies were making moccasins, playing her games on her cellphone,  she had a collection of miniature items, and she always loved spending time with her siblings.  Sandy, Yvonne and her mother would have sleep overs and watch movies all night. Their favorite movie to watch was, Madea. Her and her brother George would spend time together alot, they would go shopping together and sometimes Betty her other sibling would join them.

Her sister Yvette and her spent alot of time together also, if they weren't sitting around visiting each other they would be going for rides together into Winnipeg to yard sales or shopping.

Her other brother Peter would visit her too and help her with work around her house, She was always grateful for his help.

Leona loved spending time with all her children and grandchildren, they meant the world to her.

She would often tell stories about her childhood to her children and grandchildren,

Who loved listening to every story she told.

She always said how her son in laws, Eric, Ashley and Sheldon were like her own sons, she loved them all very much.

She was a very kind hearted person, always thinking of everyone and always put everyone before herself and would help anyone anyway she could and because of that she touched many lives with her generosity and passion for life.

Whenever she would cook for anyone she always made sure everyone ate before her than she would sit down and eat. If her kids needed anything she would help them no matter what it was. She never held back if she had something to say and was protective of those she cared for.

If any of her children or grandchildren were sick and had to go to hospital,  she always made sure she was there with them no matter how long she sat there, she wouldn't leave their side. If her children called her 3am and were stuck anywhere and needed to be picked up she would go get them.

These are just some of the things she would do for her loved ones because she loved each and everyone of them very much.

Leona often told her children that when the time comes for her to go to heaven that

they must be strong and go on for their children. She always said she will be okie because she will be in heaven with her husband and her son, Allan.

The things she did for everyone, big or small, will never be forgotten.

Honourary pallbearers are:

Randy Scott-Prince         Ashley Spence

Owen Spence                  Sheldon Roulette

Nick Pottery                     Eric McEachnie

Neil Pottery                      Ethan Pottery

Reil Warner

And all other grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Viewing will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Monday, January 3, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. A private family service will be held.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021