Leah Catherine Vesely

Leah Catherine Vesely, age 94, of Rio Rancho, NM, and formerly of Draper, SD, died Sunday, November 9, 2025, of natural causes at Rust Hospital.

  Leah was born October 26, 1931, in VanWert, Ohio, to Ira and Helen (Westfall) Stemen. She graduated from DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, Ohio, and North Central Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Leah then moved to the Draper, SD, area to teach in a one-room schoolhouse. Leah met her future husband after an emergency restroom break at a local bar! He was immediately smitten, and she said yes to their first date… she would find out his name later! They were married on May 28, 1955, and were blessed with 52 years of marriage before his passing in 2007. The couple raised their four children and lived in the Draper area until 1996, when they relocated to Rio Rancho, NM. Leah was proud and blessed to live independently in her own home until the day she went to her heavenly home!

  Leah accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, and her love of Jesus Christ was a guiding factor in her life. She was always involved in her local church as a Sunday School teacher, song leader, and encourager to those around her. She was known for sharing her delicious baked goods and handcrafted cards. She attended the Vision City Church and Mesa Baptist Church since moving to New Mexico. Leah also enjoyed her circle of “lunch ladies” that met often to share a meal and conversation. She enjoyed meeting and visiting with new people, usually inquiring where they were from to determine if she had a connection.

  Leah was a loving wife, homemaker, mom, grandma, and “Gigi.” Leah inherited her love of growing things from her parents and was an avid flower and vegetable gardener. She was a certified Master Gardener in South Dakota and New Mexico. Leah was active in various social and community service organizations: Draper Happy Hour Club, 4-H Leaders group, and the Red Hats Society. She enjoyed traveling and tried to take advantage of every opportunity presented to her, even travel by hot air balloon.

  Survivors include her children: Pamela Anne Olguin (Mike Mitnik) – NM, Mary Helen (Ron) Wipf – SD, David Ira (Denise) Vesely – MO, Matthew Roy (Lee) Vesely – MO; her grandchildren: Brian (Joyce), Faye, Catherine (Dakota), Liz, Monica (Eric), Travis (Samantha), Jason (Stephanie), Melanie (John), Jackie (Danny), Thomas (Samantha), Ben, Brooke (Kolt), Heather (Kris); twenty-six great-grandchildren; and a loving extended family and friends.

Leah was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her siblings.

Graveside service will be held Spring 2026 in SD when her ashes are laid to rest beside her beloved husband. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your church or charity of your choice in her honor. Love and hold your loved ones close.