Lea Standish

Lila Lea Standish (Lea), passed away Monday, July 27, 2026 at her home in Port Hueneme, California at the age of 88.

Lea was born March 31, 1938 in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Edward (Ed) and Ione (Kurvink) Standish. The family moved to Erdahl, Minnesota in the early 1940’s, where Ed and Ione began their farming career. Lea’s elementary school years were spent at the small country school that was one mile away from the farm. Lea was confirmed in the Erdahl Lutheran Church. After country school she continued her education at Evansville High School, graduating in 1956. By the time she graduated, her career goal was set. She was going to be a teacher! Lea enrolled at Moorhead State College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in just three years.

Lea’s first teaching job was in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, where she taught kindergarten for one year. Lea then taught in Richfield, MN for two years. Lea loved teaching but she did not love Minnesota winters, so in 1962 she moved to a small beach town in southern California at the age of 24. In 1978 she earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching at CSUN.

Lea taught at Hueneme Elementary School in Port Hueneme, California for the next 41 years. Lea enjoyed the career she had dreamed of, retiring in 2003. Over that time, she taught kindergarten and first grade students.

Being a teacher with summers off allowed Lea to become a worldwide traveler, visiting some countries more than once. She had an impressive collection of refrigerator magnets to prove it. One of her favorite vacations was in 1971, when she travelled to Australia to visit her brother, Jim, who was there on R & R from Viet Nam.

Lea cared deeply about animals and nature. In her home she surrounded herself with nature artwork. Lea especially loved dragon flies, butterflies, all cats, wild and domestic, and moose.

Living just an hour from Los Angeles, Lea enjoyed an active social life with her friends, especially dining out and catching the latest movies to be released.

Lea always looked forward to her summer visits to Minnesota to see her relatives and friends in Pipestone, the Twin Cities and the Erdahl area. Lea was planning a trip to Minnesota next month, but sadly we won’t be able to enjoy her happy, kind, gentle soul one last time.

Lea is survived by her brother Jim Standish and many cousins in Pipestone and the Twin Cities.

Lea was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Ione Standish.

In lieu of flowers and memorials, the family suggests considering donating to the Grant County Humane Society or your local Humane Society, to honor Lea's profound love and concern for animals.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake with a visitation starting at 11:00 AM.

Interment at Erdahl Cemetery, rural Erdahl

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home