Worker Bees Fund

Lois Leskinen retired from Humboldt Area Foundation in 2001 to move to Oregon with her husband Arne. Born and raised in Humboldt County, Lois graduated from Eureka High School and Clarke Secretarial College. Her first job was as a long distance telephone operator during WWII, where she enjoyed talking to "all of the guys calling home." For 32 years, Lois worked as office manager for the California State Automobile Association. She volunteered locally at Alice Birney and Lincoln schools and the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. Lois established the Worker Bees Fund with an initial gift from Humboldt Area Foundation board member Mary Ann Spencer. HAF serves as advisor to this expendable fund intended to support a variety of charitable purposes in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, primarily those that improve the lives of children, youth, and their families. The Strope family contributed gifts made in memory of Glady Strope to this fund in 2006. Lois Leskinen passed away on March 19, 2012. (2001)