Lana Surrell

Lana Kay (Leithoff) Surrell, 81, West Fargo, ND, died on Monday, May 8, 2023, at Kinder Care in West Fargo where she had been living for the last 2 years.

Lana was born in Sioux Falls, SD on November 26, 1941, to Karl W. Leithoff Jr. and Kathryn L. (Gannaway) Leithoff Louder. She lived in several communities in SD as they traveled for her father’s job, Draper, Murado and Ft. Pierre. She graduated from Washington High School, Sioux Falls, SD, in 1959.

Lana was blessed with 2 daughters, Lisa & Lori.

Lana worked several office jobs while raising her girls in Sioux Falls, SD, Dowagiac, MI, Mission, SD & Moorhead, MN, before finally settling in West Fargo, ND.

She worked at American Crystal Sugar for 35 years starting in the Moorhead Factory office and remained there up to her last position as Employee Relations Coordinator when she retired in 2008.

She has three grandsons, Alexander, Benjamin & Zachary and an honorary grandson, Maikel, whom she loved with all her heart. She loved watching their sporting events and rarely missed a single game!

Lana enjoyed working in her yard and taking care of all the wild creatures, much to the chagrin of her neighbors. Over the years she had many dogs & cats. She loved being with her family. She enjoyed going out for drinks with her friends from American Crystal Sugar and the retiree lunches every month.

Lana is survived by her daughters, Lisa (Steve) Becher, Horace, ND and Lori Surrell, Corinth, TX; her grandsons, Alex (Hannah) Becher, Hawley, MN, Ben (Laura) Becher, Rochester, MN, Zach Becher, Dallas, TX, and Maikel Kooijmans, Berlin Germany; great-grandchildren, Rainy, Chevy, Raiden and Finnley Becher, Hawley, MN and Paisley Becher, Rochester, MN and her sister, Karla Leithoff, Germantown, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents Karl & Kathryn and baby sister Bernadette.

We would like to thank KinderCare and Hospice of the Red River Valley for taking such great care of our mother, grandmother and sister.

Alzheimer’s takes someone you love twice - first, when it takes over their mind, and second, when their battle is finally over.

Momma, your battle is over and now the rejoicing begins. We will celebrate and honor you but still grieve for the life you lost long before you passed away. They say that Alzheimer’s disease is the long goodbye, and we’ve said goodbye many times, but this is the last time and for that we are thankful because now you’re in Heaven celebrating with family, your mind is whole, your body restored.

In honor of Lana’s favorite color, please wear red.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Lana’s favorite animal rescue, Cat’s Cradle, Fargo, ND.

Service: Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11 AM at Horace Lutheran Church, Horace, ND, with visitation one hour before the service.

Interment:  Brink Cemetery, Horace, ND, following fellowship at the church.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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