Jean W. Leech, 88, of Sumner, died Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 23, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Sumner with Rev. Mike Christie officiating. Interment will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery rural Westgate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22nd at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made in Jean’s name to the United Methodist Church or SEMS, both in Sumner.
Jean, daughter of John and Marie (Knox) Wendt was born October 25, 1929, in rural Fredericksburg. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Frederika. Jean received her early education at Bremer School, Dresden Township in rural Frederika, prior to graduating from New Hampton High School. Upon graduation Jean continued her education at State Teacher’s College (now known as University of Northern Iowa) where she received her teaching license. She taught in the country schools of Fayette and Bremer County for four years. On August 11, 1950, she was united in marriage with Milton Leech in Preston, Minnesota. Jean and Milton farmed together for many years in rural Westgate, and made their home welcoming to many people over the years. Milton’s death occurred January 30, 1981. Following Milton’s death, Jean moved to Calmar and studied accounting at N.I.C.C. She received her accounting degree in 1983, and moved back to the family farm. Jean worked for Sumner Country Grains, Smith Excavating, and Specialty Wire. She moved in to Sumner in August of 1983, and remained in her home until moving to Hillcrest Assisted Living in May of 2017. Jean was a long time member of Murphy E.U.B. rural Westgate and the United Methodist Church in Sumner. She was the sexton of Greenwood Cemetery for many years, the United Methodist Women, American Federation of Women, and Farm Bureau. She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, sewing, quilting, and reading. Jean enjoyed many things, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Jean is survived by her two children, Susan (Roberto) Dalandan of Easton, Pennsylvania and Bob (Carmen) Leech of Westgate; four grandsons; Tyler (Megan) Leech of Cedar Falls, Cody (Santana) Leech of Sumner, Chase (Nichole) Leech of Westgate, and Dylan (Naomi) Leech of Chariton; one great-granddaughter, Grace Leech of Cedar Falls; one great-grandson, Noah Leech of Cedar Falls; sister-in-law, Virginia (Harold) Olson of Pomeroy; two special little friends; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Milton, she was preceded in death by two sons, one who died in infancy and Randy, who died June 4, 1983; and two sisters, Margaret Maurer and Katie Aliano.
