Betty A Leigh

Betty Leigh, age 81, of Osakis, MN, formerly of Marengo, IA, died Thursday, April 7, 2016. A memorial service will be held 11 AM Monday, April 11, 2016 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Interment will follow in the West Evergreen Cemetery in Osakis. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM Monday at Anderson Funeral Home. OBITUARY Betty A. Schaper was born June 11, 1934, in Sanborn, MN, the daughter of Albert and Lena (Goring) Schaper. At age two her family moved to Mason City, IA. She began working in a mom & pop grocery store while attending high school. While working at the grocery store she met Ralph Leigh, one of the school kids that hung out at the store. On March 23, 1956 Betty was united in marriage to Ralph. The couple made their home in Mason City and began their family. They were blessed with two children, James and Leslie. Betty continued to work at the grocery store. Five years later, the family moved to Marengo, IA. Betty worked at Sullivan Sporting Goods and as a cook at the Iowa Valley School. She worked as a clerk for twenty two years at the Old Wine Cellar Winery. Following their retirement Betty and Ralph continued living in Marengo until moving to Osakis, MN in 2007. Their son James asked them to come to Osakis to be closer to him as he operated the Idlewilde Resort. Betty did her part for the resort by keeping the dock boys and staff well provisioned with cookies and other baked goods. Betty loved to cook and bake and was good at it. She was famous for her Christmas candies. She made turtles, peanut clusters, peanut brittle, fudge and her specialty was divinity. One year she made over one-hundred pounds of candy that Ralph distributed to friends, neighbors co-workers and family. Everyone that received her candy appreciated the generosity. Betty like to spend time doing needlepoint work and knitting. She made a well-kept home for her family. She also liked to go to casinos and try her luck with the one armed bandits. Her and Ralph made thirty-six trips to Las Vegas before gambling was made legal in Iowa. Betty was also active in her church. In the past she served as a member of the Ladies Aid, the altar guild and the choir. She also played piano and organ for the church. Family was very important to Betty. She loved being with Ralph. She was proud of her children and lived for them and her grandchildren. On Thursday, April 7, 2016 Betty died at the age of eighty-one years. She was preceded in death by her five brothers and one sister. Betty is survived by her husband, Ralph Leigh, of Osakis; son James Leigh and wife, Susan, of Osakis; daughter, Leslie Kimm and husband, Marv, of Mapleton, MN; grandchildren Ryan Kimm and wife, Anna, Katie Rewitzer and husband, Jon, Jenny Barrows and husband, Mike, Jason Leigh and wife, Emily, and Kelsey Leigh; and five great grandchildren, August, Andy Lynn, River, Oakley and Miles. A funeral service will be held 11 AM, Monday, April 11, 20016 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN. Interment will follow in the West Evergreen Cemetery in Osakis. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Monday at Anderson Funeral Home.

Betty A Leigh

June 11, 1934 - April 7, 2016