Leila Leona Davis, 84, Minot and formerly of Upham died on Sunday, July 5, 2009 in a Minot hospital.

Leila was born on December 5, 1924 in Upham, ND to Paul and Bertha (Will) Rosenau. She was reared on a farm near Upham and was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - rural Upham. She graduated from Upham High School in 1943 and moved to Minot later that year and was employed at the State Theatre, Buttrey's and Northwest Clinic.

Leila married Neil Davis, who affectionately called her "Shorty" on June 25, 1950 in St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot. They made their home in Minot where she continued at Northwest Clinic until 1959 when she became a fulltime wife and mother. Neil was a locomotive engineer for Burlington Northern Railroad and Amtrak. Later, Leila became an Avon representative for fifteen years until she retired in 1985. Neil died on December 17, 2008.

Leila was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot where she taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, sang in the choir and was an officeholder and member of its LWML. She especially enjoyed reading, gardening and needlework as well as spending time with her identical twin sister Lucille.

Leila's surviving family includes her children: James (Nancy) Davis of Minot and Gene (Christine) Davis of Fargo; grandchildren: Julie Davis Kennedy (Jeffrey), Nathan Davis (Becky), Garrett, Gabrielle and Grace Davis; twin sister: Lucille Hyland of Minot and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Leila was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters: Gertrude, Olga, Doris, Ella, Florence and Irene and brothers: Erick, Bruno and Markie.

Funeral Service: Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot.Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.

Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.