Leila Leppanen

September 10, 1940 - January 7, 2017

Leila Leppanen, 76, of Butte passed away in her home on January 7, 2017. Leila was born in Billings, Montana on September 10, 1940 to Edward and Inez Braunstadter. The family moved to Butte in October of 1951. Leila attended the Grant School and Butte High School. On December 5, 1959 she married Lyman Leppanen. Together they raised two children and spent 48 years together. Leila enjoyed spending time and cherished being a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She made many wonderful friend in her church community. Leila loved cooking for family and friends. She helped raise many children that were not her own but loved them all as if they were. She always had a cake baked or cookies made for the kids that kept her busy for many years. Her own children's friends were always made to feel welcome in their home and usually loved to gather at the Leppanen house, more than likely for all the treats made available to them. She loved holiday meals and spent many years preparing them for her entire family, finally passing that love down to her daughter who happily took over the task. Nobody ever left Leila's house hungry or without leftovers! Leila loved camping and fishing and spent many summers at Georgetown Lake with her husband and son who shared her love for the great outdoors. Leila was preceded in death by her husband, Lyman, her parents, her sister, Karen, her mother and father-in-law, Werner and Aino Leppanen, her brother-in-law, Lyle Nelson, her sisters-in-law, Joyce Henschel and Lianne Evans and niece, Christina Gustavsen. Survivors include her son, Ed Leppanen, daughter, Susan (Mike) Yelenich, grandchildren, Matt (Emily) Yelenich, Meagan Yelenich, Kellie Yelenich, great-granddaughter, Lita, her sisters, Marlene (Cliff) Gustavsen, Marcia (Mike) Doto and Sheryl Nelson and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Butte American Legion, 4 1/2 Mile Vue Rd, Butte, MT 59701.