Joanne Marie Leland, age 74 passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Billings, Montana.
Joanne was born March 17, 1941 in Helena, Montana and was adopted at six weeks of age to the Rev. and Mrs. Clarence Jacobson in Whitefish, Montana. Joanne’s early years included fond memories of living in Whitefish, Montana, Illinois, and then Joplin, Montana where she attended grade school. The family moved to Miles City, Montana in 1955 where she attended high school through her junior year. She attended Augustana Academy in South Dakota for her senior year, and then went on to Concordia University in Moorhead, Minnesota. While at home in Miles City over the holidays of 1960, she met a rancher and her adult live began to take form.
Joanne was united by marriage to Leonard Leland in Miles City, Montana on June 25, 1961. Leonard and Joanne made a home and spent the better part of their lives raising their four children on the family ranch 50 miles East of Miles City.
Joanne was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Miles City and baptized and confirmed Lutheran. In later years she also was a member of the Ismay Community Church. She took great joy in playing the piano and organ at countless church services and functions. She also greatly enjoyed teaching music at Plevna High School for several years. Joanne had so many fond memories of traveling both with the camper and flying all over the country trapshooting, going on fishing trips to Canada, and spending time with countless friends. She never met a person that she wouldn’t soon be able to call a friend. She also greatly enjoyed flower gardening and creating beautiful flower beds. Joanne also loved spending time with her grandchildren any chance that she got. In later years due to poor health, Joanne enjoyed living at St. Johns Lutheran Home in Billings.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Deflorence Jacobson, her parents in law Leonard A. and Leone Leland and her daughter Julie. Joanne is survived by her husband Leonard, her brothers: Paul (Diane) and Mark (Jeanne); children: Steve, Tanya (Jim) and Tim; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials can be made to St. Johns Lutheran Ministries in Billings, Ismay Community Church, First Lutheran Church of Miles City, or the charity of choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 30, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 30, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Duane and Sharon Wetsch says
Leonard and Family
We were so sorry to hear of Joanne’s passing. We have many memories of this wonderful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Hugs. Duane and Sharon
Jodi (Rieger) Ridenhower says
I am so sorry to hear that Joanne passed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
Peggy Redman and Earl Mortensen says
To Joanne’s family,
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you in the passing of your beloved Joanne. May you find comfort and strength in knowing others care. We are thinking of, and praying for you at this difficult time. May warm memories help soften your sorrow, and may faith help you face each tomorrow. The world has lost a wonderful person, and a caring heart. Today we all share in your sorrow.
Terry Bruha says
Leonard and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Joanne was one of my favorite people in this world. She played piano for our students in Plevna for many years. The students all loved her sense of humor and encouraging words. The music just flowed out of her fingers. We often asked her to play “Bless this House”. I remember all of the fun trips that we took to Music Festivals. She and our Superintendent, Carter Christiansen used to “get in trouble” for talking or giggling during a performance. I also remember her as “The Weather Lady”. I find myself watching “The Weather Channel” quite often now too. I can’t wait until I get to heaven to hear her play again. Hugs to all of her family. Terry and Doug Bruha
Bernice Walter says
Thinking of you, Leonard (Shotgun,) and your family. I have many great memories of our fun times together. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Joanne was a special lady. Bernice
Norton and Jule Walker says
Joanne had a knack for being the life of the party. Her smile was contagious and could light a room. God’s blessings and comfort in the days ahead.
Rena Medearis says
Joanne was a fun person to be around!! We were at many church board meetings together so I got to know her quite well. The way she played the piano and organ was absolutely beautiful and a pleasure for all to hear. Thank you Tanya for all you did for Keaton and my family in your younger years. You were a blessing! Praying comfort for all through this difficult time.
Roberta Willman says
Boy, can Joanne ever make that piano bounce @ times & she had a ready smile for every body & she could come up with stuff that sends us rolling with laughter.
Shawn and Candice Kelly says
Oh Joanne! What wonderful memories we have of you! You could make us laugh like no one else and were just so much fun to be around. Shawn was blessed to know you longer than me, but I will never forget all the fun memories I had with you on music trips in high school. There was never a dull moment with you around and you always made us sound so good! I remember begging you to play “Bless This House” just about every time you were with us in class. Whether it was in the choir room, on the basketball court, or the track field, you were always there cheering us on. You were always Tim’s number one fan! You were a blessing and we will miss you!
Devon Banister says
Leonard, Tanya, Steve & Tim,
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Joanne. She was one of my favorite people and “other mothers” growing up. I have so many memories involving her, I couldn’t begin to pick a favorite. God Bless you all.
Devon and Karen Banister Family
Myron & Ardehl Leland says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Jim Schaefer says
Leonard and family,
I only met Joanne a couple of times at the elevator in Baker, but I found her sense of humor to be infectious. I wish you peace and comfort in your time of loss.
James L. Arneson says
I am sorry to hear that your mom passed. I hold a lot of fond memories of living out next to your family as a kid. May God be with you during this time of grief.
Bob and Sue Roods says
Love and hugs to each of you. Joanne was such a beautiful, caring, fun loving lady. Trap shooting days with her were always fun. She will be missed by so many.
Lynette & Danny O'Connor says
Leonard and family, We were so sorry to hear about Joanne. She was a fun and beautiful person to be around and have as a friend. Thoughts and Prayers to all of you!
Geneva Hinderaker Hodnefield says
Sorry to say but I cannot ever remember meeting Joanne’s family and since I lived in Iowa in younger years I remember Joanne as a very young girl. Her mother Deflorence was my first cousin. So my memories of them go way,way back. I recall a visit when Joanne was a litte girl and she was with Deflorenc and Jake …as we called him ….in one of their Iowa visits . But I heard many things about Joanne in her later life. Yes, her piano playing comes to mind, she entertained everyone, I recall hearing how she enjoyed her mother’e 90th birthday party and added so much fun to that occassion. (Sorry I had to miss it)
My sympathy to ALL the family.
My sympathy to ALL her family.
Helen (Raymond) Lucas says
Leonard – I was sorry to learn of Joanne’s passing. May you find comfort in wonderful memories of time together.
Katy Sparks says
Joanne was such a wonderful accompanist to our school activities and she always tolerated our antics well. I don’t remember, or maybe even know, the real name of the song that we called “the bar song”. But who ever asked her to play it, she would laugh at us and say “oh, you guys, quit it”. And then she would play it! She was such a fun and caring person and will be missed. Deepest sympathy for your loss.
Randy & Amanda Tunby says
Joanne’s gift of laughter and music was a gift to everyone. Watching her play the piano at the music concerts was priceless. May you find comfort in the memories.
C.B. & Laurie Heiser says
She was the most amazing lady, always had a smile and always took time to say hi, what a lady when she walked into the Corner Bar, she was like a ray of sunshine, followed by the man of her life, she will be missed and most of all she had raised a great family and she loved her life as whatever she was doing? God Bless her and her family!
Mary Lou Keating says
To Leonard and Family.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna Sweeney says
I remember attending Joanne and Leonard’s wedding. Joanne was such a beautiful bride.
In the recent past, I enjoyed having visits with her at St John’s.
Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Darcy Fortune Boggs says
Joanne was such a sweetie. Her sense of humor was fabulous. I remember some good times with Joanne and Leonard. It was always full of laughter!!! She will be missed. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers!!!!
PAM AND TOM OWENS says
Thinking of you at this time of sorrow. What a great lady,remember all the good times!
Eileen and Vern Entzel says
We were so sorry to hear about Joanne. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.