Leah Edna Huber

Leah Edna Gackle was born June 23, 1922 to Frederick and Magdalena Gackle at Watkins, Montana.  She was their fifth daughter, with older sisters Emma, Clara, Katharine, and Rachel, and younger siblings Harold and Eltina.  Leah was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Congregational Church.  As a country girl she worked hard on the farm including milking cows, tending the sheep, but also enjoyed riding horses.

She, having only spoken German at home, started school in 1928, attending the Gackle Grade School for one year.  The following year she transferred to the Berry Grade School where she attended until graduating from the 8th grade.  Leah then went to Brockway High School, was a cheerleader, played basketball, and graduated valedictorian with the class of 1942. 

Leah attended Montana State College in Bozeman on scholarship for one year as a Home Economics major.  Her father, being a member of the local school board, asked her to serve a wartime need and teach elementary school.  She accepted and taught country school for two years.  After that she resumed her education in 1945 at Yankton College in South Dakota pursuing a Christian Education course of study for two years.  Edwin Huber, from Carson, North Dakota, went to serve the Watkins country church while a seminary student at Yankton College.  A courtship ensued, and following Edwin’s graduation from seminary in 1947, they were married on June 15th at the Zion Congregational Church of Watkins.

Together, Edwin and Leah served churches in Turtle Lake, North Dakota; Lind, Washington; Dryden, Washington; Paul, Idaho; Fort Morgan, Colorado; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Eureka, South Dakota.

Edwin and Leah were blessed with four daughters, Diann, Deborah, Denita, and Dawn.  In addition to caring for the home, helping with school work, encouraging musical and extra-curricular activities, and assisting with 4-H projects, she sewed most of her own clothing and that of her daughters.  Leah also enjoyed gardening and canning - hating to see good fruit and produce go to waste.  Truly a Proverbs 31 woman.

Her life was characterized by serving and caring for others.  She faithfully ministered alongside Edwin by teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, singing in the choir, being active in women’s fellowship, serving as church camp counselor and camp cook, visiting the sick and shut-ins, and was always a gracious hostess.

She worked in the community as well, as a substitute teacher, hospital auxiliary member, and an election judge.

Leah and Edwin, after celebrating forty years of marriage and forty years of church ministry, retired to Loveland, Colorado.  They remained active, serving their church and community.  In 1997, they celebrated fifty years of marriage with a program and reception with their family and friends.    When Edwin’s health declined, Leah was the ever loving and patient caregiver until he passed away May 25, 2002.  They were blessed with almost fifty-five years of marriage.

In 2007, Leah moved to Tucson, Arizona to be closer to family and receive assistance while living at The Forum.  Leah enjoyed the activities provided – musical events, mystery rides, exercise classes, and worship services.  While living at the Forum she celebrated her 90th birthday with many loved ones and a special party! 

At the age of 94, Leah, in her own bed, peacefully passed into paradise on Sunday, February 12, 2017.

Leah Huber was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Magdalena Gackle; siblings Emma Holden, Clara Gaub, Katharine Gackle, and Harold Gackle; and her husband Edwin Huber.

Leah is survived by her sisters Rachel Pribbeno  and Eltina Wright; her four daughters and their husbands Diann (Eugene) Perry, Deborah (Rickey) Williams, Denita (John) Pesicka, Dawn (Steven) Pukal;  grandchildren Joash, Zachary, Jaden, Sarah, Jenna, Michelle, Bradley, Evan, Jordan, Nadine and Morgan;  six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Leah was interred next to her husband, Edwin Huber in the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Morgan, Colorado on February 24, 2017.  A funeral service was held February 25, 2017 at the Yuma First Church of the Nazarene, Yuma, Colorado. The services were directed by Baucke Funeral Home.