Myrna Fessler Leipheimer

Our dearest Valentine, Myrna Fessler Leipheimer passed away suddenly on February 14,2023 at her Mesa Arizona winter home. It is impossible to put into words how incredible she was. Myrna arrived on May 24, 1938 to the delight of her loving parents Vinson and Anna Maxine Fessler. Three years later her sister LouAnn was born, creating a very close-knit family that also included her cousin Carol Bowman who she loved as another sister. She loved to reminisce about growing up on the family ranch next to Porters Corner, Philipsburg Montana. This is where she established her hard-working ethic that followed her through life. Myrna cherished her Class of 1956 and was proud to have been crowned their Prom Queen. She was instrumental in planning their annual reunions and parties that kept their friendships close. After graduation, Myrna attended Business School in Salt Lake City, Utah, then was hired for the summer to work for the Glacier Park Company, only to be transferred in the fall to their headquarters in St. Paul as secretary to the Personnel Director. On a visit home, her sister introduced her to the debonair smooth-talking Eddie Leipheimer and she was smitten. They married on October 11, 1958. They lived in the backroom of Eddie’s Philipsburg gas station and used car lot (she was not delighted to share their bathroom with the general public). After about 5 months they moved permanently to Butte. Eddie and Myrna welcomed son E.G. in 1959 (on her birthday), son Mark in 1961 (2 days before her birthday), daughter Stacy in 1962 (on Easter Sunday) and daughter Jill surprised them in 1969 (on Eddie’s birthday). Eddie and Myrna ran numerous successful businesses and car dealerships. She valued all their various employees and created long lasting friendships. She had a knack for making people feel special. Myrna was a whiz at 10-key entry and burned up many Monroe adding machines keeping the family and business finances in order. Working full time and raising her family was not easy, but she made it as fun as possible. Being resourceful, she taught her children and grandchildren numbers by having them put checks and invoices in order. In 1969, she and Eddie purchased their beloved cabin at Georgetown Lake where they enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling, and boating. Even though she couldn’t swim herself, Myrna taught all her children while floating on an inner tube. In the mid-70’s Myrna and her parents restored antique trunks and sold them in the family horse barn. They also enjoyed many road trips giving workshops on trunk restoration and going to antique shows. In the mid-90’s she and her dear friend, Bill Muretich, formed Estates Unlimited. She stated some of her happiest memories started by sitting in front of a sale with a bag of chips and a diet coke in her hand. Her nickname and CB handle “Mrs. KrapHauler” was well earned. Every December brought the GramaRama. Myrna treated her grandchildren to an overnight stay in a hotel, swimming, tons of junk food, and money to “blow”. Myrna and Eddie loved to travel and visited many states and foreign countries. They spent endless days on their boat exploring the Inland Passage. They traveled to music festivals with groups of friends in their motorhomes and enjoyed many family cruises. In the winter, she looked forward to the comfort of their Arizona home. She especially delighted in spending time with “the girls” shopping, going to lunch, and getting pedicures. Myrna always brightened your day and made every occasion fun! Oh, how we will miss her - but as son E.G. says “She is not gone – she’s just not here right now!” Myrna was preceded in death by her parents Vinson and Maxine Fessler; sister LouAnn (Don) Sichveland, mother and father-in-law Dorothy and Ed Leipheimer II, and brother-in-law Bill Leipheimer. Myrna is survived by her husband of 64 years, Eddie. Children and their spouses: E.G. (Christine) Leipheimer of Lost Creek; Mark (Kris) Leipheimer; Stacy Leipheimer; and Jill (Tom) Leonard of East Wenatchee, WA. Grandchildren Sarah Leipheimer of Anaconda; Jennifer (Chris) Ozanne; Annie (Blake) Parini of Laurel; Tara Leipheimer of Denver, CO; Tessa (Jason) Bullock; Gretchen (David) McCants of Boise, ID; Rachel Messick; Zach (Kaitlyn) Leipheimer of Bozeman; Rhiannon Leonard of Philadelphia, PA; and Ethan Leonard of East Wenatchee, WA. Great-grandchildren Linkon and Kindrek Ozanne; Luka Parini; Jett Bullock; and Aaliyah, Aria, and Austyn McCants. Cousin and husband Carol and Bob Winninghoff; brothers and sisters-in-laws David and Gretchen Leipheimer; Bob and Yvonne Leipheimer; and many more cherished friends and family. Donations may be made to The Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, 314 West Park Street, Butte, MT. Visitation will be conducted at Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home where friends may call after 5 p.m., Friday, March 3, 2023. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4th at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Platinum and Excelsior Streets, Butte, MT. A Memorial Service will be held in the Summer of 2023 at St. Timothy’s Chapel at Southern Cross, Anaconda, MT and the Philipsburg Cemetery Philipsburg, MT.

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Myrna Fessler Leipheimer

May 24, 1938 - February 14, 2023