Leona Mae McManus

Leona Mae McManus, 89, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at home with all seven of her children at her side on June 17, 2025. Leona was born in Flint, Michigan on February 10, 1936, to parents Charles and Sarah (Harvey) Channell, then moving to Beaverton, Michigan at an early age. As a youngster Leona was a country girl learning many practical life lessons, outdoor activities, and caring for younger siblings. She was exposed to many adventurous activities and was fascinated by stories from several aunts and uncles, especially two nicknamed the “Cripple Creek Cowboys”. She enjoyed her schooling at Beaverton Rural Schools, actively participating in basketball, playing the drums in band, Nurses’ Club and flying lessons at Midland Airport. Leona’s family would migrate to Old Mission Peninsula to work during cherry and other fruit harvest seasons where she met her future husband Francis (Frank) McManus. When Frank, a rambunctious young man, first courted Leona, a beautiful young lady, she played hard-to-get for only a very short time before they married on October 30, 1954. They enjoyed a loving 64-year marriage until Frank’s passing in 2019. They moved to Cherry Point, North Carolina shortly after marrying, while Frank was stationed in the Marine Corps there for two and a half years. Their first two children were born on the military base before settling back in Traverse City. Leona was kept very busy early on having seven children in eight years. Years later the seven children married their spouses in a six year timeframe. Leona was a very hard-working woman throughout her entire life. A cherry farmer's wife, she spent her summers supervising and making delicious lunches for the work crew, delivering tanks of cherries to Cherry Growers, all while lovingly caring for her family. She then worked playground duty at Sabin Elementary School, before enjoying a 25+ year career driving school bus for TCAPS and providing CDL training. She enjoyed driving school bus and treated all students as if they were her own children. She cared about the kids and would not just drop them off, but would take the extra step to protect them from wild animals such as frisky wild turkeys, protect them from errant traffic, and ensure that late arriving parents would show up at the bus stop before leaving. She drove many school athletic team and fan bus trips to all parts of the state. She would frequently be approached by a previous student passenger or CDL trainee that would tell her that she made a difference in their lives. Leona was a talented seamstress. She made countless baby quilts for family and friends. She sewed dresses for the little girls, leisure suits and deerhide poker money pouches for the guys, and sewed and/or altered many homecoming, prom, bridesmaids and wedding dresses. She especially enjoyed making baptismal gowns for the babies. She was a master of transplanting “antique” shrubs and flowers from various farm sites to her home and yard. She had a favorite Christmas cactus plant that she propagated for over 50 years inside her home. Leona enjoyed playing Cribbage, Euchre, various other card games and reading books. She was blessed with 24 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren, who all enjoyed spending time with her. Her candy jar was later named the “bait pile” as she kept it well-stocked and it was visited often. She prepared over 100 birthday cards for family members with a special note each year, but would not mail them because she enjoyed having all stop by for a visit. Leona is survived by seven children and their spouses: Mark (Jean) McManus, Cheryl (Greg) Wolf, Brian (Ellen) McManus, Angela (Greg) Bott, Christopher (Denise) McManus, Melinda (Jim) Lautner and Joseph (Lanie) McManus; grandchildren Adam McManus, Ben (Patty) McManus, Luke (Tammy) McManus, Elizabeth (Nick) Brief, Sarah (Dave) Stoltzfus, Rob (Megan) Wolf, Tim (Colleen) Wolf, Valerie (Salah Qutaishat) McManus, Julie (Rob) Gregg, Brad (Katie) McManus, Andy (Danielle) Bott, Kristin (Dan) Goethals, Dave (Jessica) Bott, Aaron (Aschley) Bott, Brian (Katie) Bott, Nicole (Tim) Woods, Maureen (Thomas) Pfaller, Christopher (Molly) McManus, Ginger (George) Newman, Clint Lautner, Lexi (Zach) Farrow, Amelia (Ryan) Davis, Rachel (Josh Wagner) McManus-Wagner and Kyle McManus; great-grandchildren Alivia, Angus, Parker, Gordon, Ryan, Cooper, Matthew, Michael, Madelyn, Aiden, Cameron, Danny, Josie, Gwennie, Camilla, Petra, Brooklyn, Syria, Coral, Caleb, Emily, Degan, Markus, Samuel, Maximus, Colton, Henry, Priya, Chase, Clare, Avery, Archer, Quinn, Owen, Beau, Brody, Sophie, Duncan, Thatcher, Eliza, Dominic, Ann, Kieran, Ryker, Keira, Kate, Oliver, Sterling, Poppy, Frankie, Everly, Drake, Lillian, Clara, and soon-to-arrive baby McManus (Brad and Katie); step-great-grandchildren Natalie and Oliver Woods; brother Charles “Junior” Channell, Jr.; brother-in-laws Art (Judy) McManus and Mike (Janet) McManus; sister-in-laws Frieda Thompson and Gloria McManus; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to her husband, Leona was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Ethel Kimble, Charlotte (Charles) Sherman, and Judy (Ernie) Letson; great-grandson Mac Donald McManus; brother- and sister-in-laws George (Clara) McManus, Jr., Antoinette (Ron) Lints, D. Patrick McManus and Roger Thompson; nephews Jason and David Thompson, nephew Allen Letson and niece Susan Letson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 308 N. Cedar Street, Traverse City. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, June 24 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm (Rosary at 7:00 pm) at Immaculate Conception Centennial Hall and one hour prior to mass at the church. Leona will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Immaculate Conception Church or Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools (GTACS). Leona and her family are being cared for by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Leona Mae McManus

February 10, 1936 - June 17, 2025