Leah May Winder

Leah Winder

Services were held for Leah May Winder, Monday, Sept. 17, at 1:30 p.m. at the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Roy Howell, Rev. Frank Blish and the Eastern Star officiated. Music was provided by Wanda Hanson, organist and Mark Lohr who sang "My God and I" and the congregation singing "O God, Our Help in Ages Past."

Pallbearers were Jim Willson, Ed Boner, Bill Grey, Merle Hahn, Eldon Alexander and Robert Templeton.

Arrangements were by Peet Mortuary and burial was in the Douglas Cemetery.

Leah May Winder was born near Sharpsburg, Iowa, on May 8, 1895, to Nancy Jane Grey and Henry M. Lindley. Her father was a farmer. Leah grew up in Taylor County, Iowa and graduated from high school at Bedford, Iowa. She had one older sister, Laura; a younger sister, Fern; and two older brothers, Alfred and Clifford - all now deceased.

Leah taught school before she met and married John E. Winder on Dec. 25, 1918, in Bedford, Iowa. The following spring they went to Wyoming to homestead between Orin and Douglas. They spent the first year at Fischer, Wyoming, which no longer exists. Leah continued to teach in Wyoming.

After a few years, the Winders moved into Orin and bought a house there. Mr. Winder worked for the Northwestern Railroad. During the summers Leah attended summer school at the University of Wyoming.

The Winder's first child, John, was born on Dec. 25, 1934, on their 16th wedding anniversary. What a great present! He now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is married and has three children-John, Joel and Debbie. The Winder's second child, Laura Jo, was born in Douglas on Feb. 18, 1938. Laura Boyd has one son, Charles, and lives in Rapid City.

Mr. Winder died suddenly in December 1946 and Leah returned to teaching in Lusk. She taught 2nd grade for 17 years in Lusk. Leah continued to attend college during the summers and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Chadron State College.

When Leah retired, she became active in Eastern Star, Federated Women's Club and church activities. She is past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star. Leah enjoyed reading, sewing and continued to learn. When she was able, she enjoyed gardening and keeping up her yard and home in Lusk.

Leah moved to Rapid City several years ago to be near her daughter and has been a resident of the Rapid City Care Center since February 1982.

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