LeAnne J. Trosper passed away at her home in Evanston, at the age of 74 on March 22.
LeAnne was born Sept. 27,1942, in Freeman, Soouth Dakota, to Ben Ratzlaff and Alice Thomas Ratzlaff. She grew up on the family farm with two brothers and two sisters.
She graduated from Freeman Junior College in 1960. Later in her life she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing on May 18, 1986, thus beginning her 31-year career in the field of nursing — until the day she journeyed home.
Amid those 31 years she also served in the Army Reserves as a field nurse for the 98th General Hospital in Nuremberg, Germany, during Operation Desert Storm, where she received an Army Service Ribbon and a National Defense Service Medal.
LeAnne married her college sweetheart Kenneth L. Trosper in 1961. She was the proud mother of Lesa, Holly, Jevon, Jamie, James and Robbie.
She was the foundation of her family and showed unconditional love, graceful humility and infinite compassion, always putting the well-being of family, friends, her patients and even her pets above and before her own.
LeAnne was very passionate about her hobbies, which included collecting Fenton glass lamps, novels, movies, all sorts of knickknacks, gardening and watching basketball on TV. Her favorite team was the Utah Jazz.
She was the “keeper” of the family photos and had a vast collection of photo albums that chronicled the family’s history. She was also a very big Elvis fan.
LeAnne is survived by Kenneth L. (Karen) Trosper; children Lesa (Travis) Trosper, Kenneth Jevon (Glenda) Trosper, Jamie (Dave) Trosper, Challis Trosper, Leslie Trosper, Todd Trosper, Reginald Trosper, Tammi Thunder, Tremayne Thunder and Terle Thunder.
She is also survived by grandchildren Josh Marshall, Chloe Harris, Ronald Goggles, Shaina Goggles, Skyy Iron Eyes, Steven Trosper, Wyatt Burnett, Natuin Trosper and Wakiza Thayer; great-grandchildren Jamien, Namba, Nakoa, Nuriah, Alexus, Azlynne and Andreas; brother Willis Ratzlaff; and numerous neices, nephews and other relatives in South Dakota.
She is also survived by relatives Bernice Seminole, Melody Hendrickson, Phillip Hendrickson, Virgil Amos, Romana Produit, Bobby Produit, Raymond Produit and Jason Foskey.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ben and Alice Ratzlaff; brother Glenn Ratzlaff; sisters Lois Massey and Marjorie Roesler; daughter Holly Trosper; Geraldine Hendrickson; son Robert R. Bell; grandson Christopher Trosper; pet kitties Snickers, Alley Cat, and Lucky; and her poodle Bucky.
LeAnne’s wishes were honored with cremation and no services. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date, which will be announced. Anyone wishing to contribute pictures, stories or any memories of LeAnne may do so by sending them via email to leannememories@gmail.com.
“Whispers From Heaven,” by Al Littleton and Brenda Smith
When I left this world without you
I know it made you blue.
Your tears fell so freely,
I watched; I know this is true.
While you were weeping,
Days after I passed away —
While all was silent within me,
I saw you kneel to pray
From this wonderful place called heaven
Where all my pain is gone,
I send a gentle breeze to whisper,
“My loved ones, please go on.”
The peace that I have found here
Goes far beyond compare
No rain, no clouds, no suffering —
Just LOVE from everywhere.
You need not be troubled
Just stay close to GOD in prayer
Someday we’ll be reuninted
My love HIS love surrounds you always,
EVERYWHERE!
