Lorena Leesman

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Lorena Leesman, 93, of Highmore, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the Avera Maryhouse in Pierre surrounded by her family.

Funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore, with Pastor David Peterson officiating.  Burial followed at 3:00 p.m. MT, Tuesday at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis.  Visitation began at 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2016 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.

Lorena Norma was born July 10, 1922 in Hutchinson County, SD to Fred and Hilda (Waltz) Knodel.  She was united in marriage to William Leesman on November 13, 1944.  They lived on a farm north of Harrold, SD, where they raised their five children: Rickey, Anita, Terry, LeAnn, and Mary Jo.

She didn’t have much time to waste as she raised the kids, milked cows, and raised chickens, which every Saturday night Willie, Lorena, and the family would load the cream and eggs to take to Bohning and Bohning store in Harrold to sell.  She also had a large garden and canned everything.

Lorena had a great love of cooking…everything from thousands of Kuchens to thousands of Fleisch Keichla, and of course massive numbers of cookies.  The cookie jar was never empty, and all the grand kids loved that!  She also enjoyed attending many barn dances as well as having them in their barn, one of which Lawrence Welk played at.

In 1966, Willie and Lorena decided to exchange the farm life for the big city lights, moving to Highmore and purchasing the Prairie View Motel.  There Lorena cleaned rooms, made beds, did laundry for the 10 room “mom and pop” motel.  After 20 years of “motel life”, they decided in 1986 to really retire…however retirement was not for her, she went to work part time at the Highmore Nursing Home, cooking for the residents for 20 years.

Lorena was an avid bowler, 2-3 times a week with her special lady team and taking in many state and national tournaments.  In later years, she enjoyed rocking in her living room, watching the school children on the playground across the street, and most importantly her grandkids and great grandkids with attending their concerts, recitals, and sporting events.

Fortunate to have shared her life are her five children:  Rickey (Barbara) Leesman, Anita (Frank) Baca, Terry (Mary) Leesman, LeAnn (Randi) Baloun, and Mary Jo (Jeff) Shannon; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Raleigh (Leigh) Leesman and children: Chelsea (fiancé Jeremy), Wyatt, Skyler, Faith, Garrett, and Sara; Angie (Michael) Bollweg and children: Madison and Regan; Pam (Bill) Cuny and child, Bailey; Cassandra (Art) Schupner and children: Avery and Brynn; Brian (Joie) Nickelson and children: Wyatt and Dalton; Danielle Leesman (fiancé Mark), Natasha (Jason) Gault and child, Nolan; Brandon Baloun and children: Whitley and Wesley; Dillon (Nikki) Baloun and children: Brooklyn, Jada, and Bristol; Caitlin Shannon (fiancé Luke); and Matthew (Kaleigh) Shannon and child, Camden; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; son, Terry Leesman; grandson, Wrangler Leesman; sister, Arlinda Hull; and brother, Arnie Knodel.