Leora Mae Hoaglund

LeRoy/Tustin - Leora Mae Hoaglund, lifelong resident of the area passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City surrounded by family. She was 75.

Leora was born on June 13, 1950, in Cadillac, Michigan to Merle D. and Betty (Hall) Fewless. She grew up attending Marion schools and was the Salutatorian of the Class of 1968 from Marion High School. 

After spending one year in nursing school at the University of Michigan, Leora entered into marriage with Elmo V. Hoaglund on May 17, 1969 in Dighton, who she met when she was a candy striper at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac. The couple celebrated 56 years together.  In the early years of her marriage she was active on the Tustin Fire Department and was also an EMT Specialist.  Leora returned to Ferris State University and earned her RN, BSN nursing degree in 1986.  She spent over 34 years working as an RN at the hospital in Reed City and then at the Mercy Hospital Cadillac working in many departments over the years including the Emergency Department, the Radiology Department, NICU and Outpatient Surgery to name a few. 

She was a faithful member of the Dighton Wesleyan Church and could often be found bird watching from her front porch, gardening, sewing, crocheting or canning her Elderberry Jelly which she shared with many extended family and friends.  One of her granddaughters hopes to carry on this tradition.  Leora was all about helping people and being an active part of her community.  She volunteered her time with Feeding America, several events with her husband's Masonic lodge, the Dighton Wesleyan Church, and was always willing to listen to what ailed you and share her knowledge with you.  She will be deeply missed by all.  

Leora is survived by her loving husband, Elmo Hoaglund of LeRoy; her children, Shawanee VanderVlucht of Lucas, Cherokee (Steven) Hyzer of Greenwood, Indiana, Cheyenna Hoaglund of Newlands, Grand Cayman, and Joshua (Pam) Hoaglund of Luther; grandchildren, Lucas, Lorra (Keagan), Linde (Ben), Jezalyn (her fiancé, John), Cole, Reyah (Syrus), Stella, Matthew (Ky), Jordan, Brandon (Sam), and Jennifer; her great-grandchildren, Serenity, Jaxton, Harper, Hazel, Hennie, Holland, Arsen, and Aza; her siblings, Allen (Cynthia) Fewless, Paul Fewless, Sheila Smith, Keith (Ingrid) Fewless, Amy Jo Fewless, and Jessica Coykendall; her step-siblings Kim Curtis and Cody Baum as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Merle D. Fewless, her mother, Betty Mae Fewless-Baum, her step-father James Baum; a sister, Julia Fewless; son-in-law Jeff VanderVlucht; and two precious babies due to miscarriage.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home in Cadillac, with visitation one hour prior.   Internment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in LeRoy at a later date.   Memorial contributions may be directed to Feeding America,  Fresenius Kidney Care Center in Cadillac, or Dighton Wesleyan Church.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.Hitesman-Holdship.com  The family is being served by the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.  

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