Leona "Tootsie" F. Houlihan, 83, of Pierre and formerly of Huron, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Avera Maryhouse Long Term Care in Pierre.

Mass of Christian Burial for Leona will be at 10:30 am, Wednesday, December 21 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron.  Interment will follow at St. Wilfrid Catholic Cemetery in Woonsocket.

Visitation, with the family present, will be 5-7 pm, Tuesday, December, 20 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron, with a scripture service following at 7 pm.  Visitation will continue one-hour prior to the service at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish on Wednesday.

Leona F. (Sweeney) Houlihan was born on July 23, 1933 to Ernest Rex and Margaret (Wingert) Sweeney. She was delivered by her Godmother, Rose Vetter, on the farm by Cuthbert, SD which was south east of Woonsocket, SD. As a Baby, her family moved to the area by Hatfield, MO where they lived until 1945, when they moved back to the Woonsocket area. Leona graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1951.

Leona met the love of her life, Maurice Houlihan marrying him at St. Wilfred's Church, Woonsocket SD, on September 1, 1952. This union was blessed with sons; Peter, David, and Larry; and daughters Mary and Sara. Maurice and Leona moved to the Huron area in 1957 and later purchased a place southwest of Huron in 1960 where they raised their family.  Leona and Maurice moved into Huron in 1996 where she lived until 2015 at which time she moved to Pierre to be close to her daughter Sara and Boyd Wallace and family.

Fabric of a Loved Woman:

You weaved grace and kindness into our lives with each stitch you placed we saw the beauty of all that is you.

Your strength, the gentle pat of your hand as you guided with your words, "now, now".

The love of family and friends you displayed as you interwove yourself in each of our lives.

Stories you shared, the listening ear and the quiet acceptance you stitched into our hearts, a deep love, that will carry us through till we meet again.

Life shared, memories made, puzzles experienced, glasses of coke shared, books read, pieces of history and family news shared, all the little things that were experienced with you has touched our lives.

Some of us our journey began with you while others you became a part of our journey making our lives more complete.

As we celebrate your life we are thankful for you, while our hearts are heavy missing you we rejoice in the Great Wonderful Gift God gave us in you. We Love You!

Leona was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Maurice Houlihan in 1998; her parents Ernest in 1997 and Margaret in 2002; brothers Bud in 1996 and Charlie in 1998; sister Myrt in 2013; and sister- in-law and brother-in-law, Bob and Morna Brown.

Leona is survived by her children; son, Pete and his children; Nita (Jim) Burnette and Billie Jo (Scott) Johnson;  son,  Dave (Nancy) and their children; Chris (Megan) Houlihan,  Tom (Joy) Houlihan and Abby (David) Wilson; son, Larry (Val) and their children, Joshua (Andrea) Houlihan,  Logan (Li) Houlihan,  Jacob Houlihan, Cherish Copeland,  Ashley Houlihan, Jackson Houlihan, Isabel Houlihan, Angela Houlihan, Twyla Houlihan and Tucker Houlihan; daughter, Mary Houlihan; daughter,  Sara (Boyd) Wallace, their children,  Kala, Kyra Wallace; her brothers, Sonny (Kay) Sweeney, Dean (Judy) Sweeney; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Eldon and Katherine Seivley and 23 great-grandchildren.