Betty Leonard

April 12, 1926 - April 12, 2014

Betty J. Leonard, 88 of Crystal Falls, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls. She was born on January 16, 1926 in Michigamme, Michigan, daughter of the late William and Flora (LaCosse) Farragh. She attended school in Crystal Falls, graduating from Forest Park High School in 1943. Betty married her high school sweetheart, Robert "Bob" Leonard on June 16, 1945 at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls and he preceded her in death on April 5, 2003, after nearly 57 wonderful years together. She went to work as a Reporter for the Diamond Drill for 3 years, and was then promoted to Editor for 12 years. She then moved the family to Illinois in 1962, where she worked as the Editor of her corporate newspaper until retiring in 1988. At one point in her career she was the youngest female Editor of a major newspaper in the country. She was a longtime member of the Guardian Angels Catholic Church. Betty is survived by her 3 children, Mary (Victor) Maki of Amasa, Patrick Leonard of California, and Michele Hudec of New Jersey; 9 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild. She was preceded in death by a sister, Bella Opolka and a brother, Howard Farragh. In accordance with Betty's wishes, there will be no wake or funeral services at this time. The family will hold private services at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, N.Y. 10001 Condolences may be expressed to the family of Betty J. Leonard online at www.nashfuneralhome.net The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.