Watch Pauline's Celebration of Life

Proverbs 31:31: Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Mary Pauline Leines, 97, of Bejou, MN, went home to be with Jesus on Sept. 1st, at Benedictine Living Community of Ada, MN, surrounded by family. Pauline was the sixteenth child born to William and Henrietta (Scarbrough) Winters on Aug. 3, 1926, in The Grove, TX. She grew up in rural Texas attending school and working on the family farm. She married David Miller in 1943, and from this union a son, Randy, was born. In 1953, she met and married Wallace Leines, and they had four children: Joyce, Lee, Katherine, and Dennis. They lived on a farm west of Bejou. Pauline worked various jobs, running the Bear Park Store, the Rindal Cafe, then they ran Polly's Inn in Bejou. They moved back to the farm, and it was during this time that they did foster care and eventually adopted Jason Monson. After they were divorced, Pauline moved to Southview Apartments in Twin Valley, MN, and found her calling as a CNA/Home Health Aide. Then after retiring she moved back to Bejou. Pauline always loved to cook and bake, and you could not leave her home without first eating and taking something home with you. Pauline was well into her 90's and was still baking and rolling lefse until her health started to decline. Pauline moved to the Benedictine Living Community in Ada in November of 2022, where she was always "keeping watch" and making sure everyone was behaving.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son; 15 siblings; two grandsons; one granddaughter; in-laws; nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends. She is survived by her children: Randy (Pam), Hudson, FL, Joyce (Gary) Bendickson, Bejou, Lee (Theresa) Leines, Grandin, N.D., Katherine (Joel) Andersen, Twin Valley, Dennis (Kathy) Leines, Crookston, MN, Jason Leines, Fargo, N.D, and Carol (Troy) Reno, San Antonio, TX; 20 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and nine great great grandchildren; numerous family members, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Benedictine Living Community and Hospice of the Red River Valley for providing exceptional care in her final days. Pauline did not want a sad funeral, so a happy "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Bejou. A Time of Gathering will take place one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service at the church.