Marjorie Leahy radiated joy and light for her 87 years with us. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on June 3, 2020. She now joins her beloved husband Jerry who passed 10 weeks earlier on March 24, 2020. Marge was born on April 6, 1933 to Maurice VanHorne and Kathryn Colwell VanHorne. Her 4 older sisters, Virginia, Carolyn, Dorothy, & May, and her parents proceeded her in death. Marge is survived by 3 children: Roger, Jim, Mea Lama; 6 grandchildren: Amber, April, Ravon, Jesse, Sean, & Sam; and 3 great grandchildren: Julian, Adrian, and Gabriel.
Marge grew up with loving family in Pawnee City NE. She enjoyed horses, musicals, and drumming. When 17, she met Jerry of Tecumseh NE at a basketball game, and came home telling her mother she’d met the man she would marry; and she did! Marge was a loving, supportive mother, finding joy in raising her 3 kids. The family moved following Jerry’s career, as president of banks in Rock Rapids IA and Pella, IA. The Leahy’s started TM (Transcendental Meditation) in 1971, & later learned to teach TM. In 1974, the Leahy’s were instrumental in re-locating MIU (Maharishi International University) to Fairfield, IA. Marge & Jerry worked at MIU and lived on campus, where they became parental figures to many young students & staff that came to MIU in the mid 70’s.
The Leahy’s son Jim had started Overland Sheepskin Co in Taos NM in 1973. It rapidly grew to become a successful, multi-generational family business. Marge & Jerry joined Overland full time in 1977 and were pivotal in that success. They ran the store in Omaha’s Old Market, living in the back room. They then took to the road, finding, building, and setting up numerous stores from Vermont to California. In 1982 Marge & Jerry built the new headquarters barn for Overland near Fairfield. Marge then headed up Overland’s buying, inventory management, and the Fairfield store. Jerry raised llamas as pets on their ranch. Marge & Jerry had boundless energy and were happiest when working hard.
Marge is an amazing being of light. She uplifted & inspired generations of family and friends with her loving, supportive nature & that twinkle in her eye. Marge & Jerry continue to bless us with their love.
The Leahy family
Visits: 60
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors