Leah Schott

Leah died at home with hospice, surrounded by her family March 5, 2008. Services will be held at 11:00 am Monday at First Lutheran Church, Mandan with Rev. Lee Herberg officiating. Burial will be in North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Sunday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Leah Jean Anderson was born on October 6, 1934 in Velva, North Dakota, to Norma and Hegbert Anderson. Leah spent her formative years attending school in Velva through high school. Leah graduated from Minot State Teacher's College in 1954, where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. After graduation, Leah taught school in Grenora, North Dakota. A first generation child of her immigrant father from Norway, Leah left as a legacy to her children the values that are traditional to North Dakota. Leah valued love and marriage. She married the love of her life, William A. Schott, on July 22, 1955 in Velva, when he returned from Korea. Leah and Bill lived in Moorhead, MN, where Bill attended Concordia College and received his degree in Social Work. Leah and Bill then lived in Stanley and Carrington, ND, where Bill worked in the field of social work. In 1965, Bill and Leah moved to the Bismarck/ Mandan area where they lived until her death. Leah and Bill Schott were married for 53 years, and were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends at the Seven Seas in Mandan in 2005. Leah valued faith and service. She was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Mandan for over 44 years. Over the years, Leah served as President of her circle at First Lutheran Church, taught Sunday school, and was involved in many bible studies. Leah was also very involved in her community. She was past President of Mandan Dakota Lionesses, and served on the regional Red Cross board for a number of years. Leah was a trustee for the ND State Historical Foundation, a lifelong member of the Mandan Historical Society, as well as served as a social director for the Sons of Norway in Bismarck, ND. Leah valued friendship. Most recently, Leah was Queen of her Red Hat group, the Red Bloomers of Mandan and Bismarck. Leah and Bill were members of Family Campers and RV Club and the Mandan Golden Age Club. Leah had many friends from all walks of life in the community, she loved to entertain, and was always involved in many social gatherings, along with her husband, Bill. Leah valued education. A trained teacher, she loved words, books, crossword puzzles, language, and was a voracious reader. She served as a volunteer editor for numerous local organizations, including the Mandan Historical Society. Leah worked for several years as a kindergarten teacher in Mandan, and later as an Assistant Librarian at Hughes Junior High School in Bismarck for one year. Leah was a member of the Delphian Book Club of Mandan-Bismarck. Leah valued family. Her love of traveling, family, children and grandchildren kept her busy and occupied. Leah and Bill loved to spend time in Texas with their son and his family as well as with their three daughters and their families who all live in the Bismarck/Mandan area. Their most recent trip, a cruise which took them to the Panama Canal, was the highlight of her recent years. When at home in Mandan/ Bismarck, Bill and Leah led an active social life including camping, cards, socializing with friends, community service, volunteer activities, church, and family. Leah is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Bill Schott, and their four children and families: Kathy Rick Setterlund of Mandan, David Kristi Schott, Houston, TX, Melanie Bernier, Bismarck, and Nancy Joe Davis of Bismarck. Leah and Bill have been blessed with eleven grandchildren: Megan McGannon, Mandie Setterlund Kyle Haman, Elizabeth Schott Dave Kovoet, Brian Setterlund, Thomas Heather McGannon, Landon Lindsay Schott, Jennifer McGannon, Kevin Setterlund, Skylar Davis, Robert Davis, and Steven Davis, seven great-grandchildren Jason, Riley, Keiran, Rayne, Rhyan, Reeve, and Jacob, a sister and brother-in-law, Bob and Sharon Malzer of Minot, and her brother-in-law, Hollis Nappen of Mandan. Leah was preceded in death by her parents, Hegbert and Norma Anderson of Minot, and her elder sister, Theodora Teddy Nappen.

Leah Schott

October 6, 1934 - March 5, 2008