Liesel Leppek, a native of Germany and longtime resident of Denver, passed away Sept. 4, 2010 after a long illness. Private memorial services are to be held.
Mrs. Leppek, the mother of IJN Assistant Editor Chris Leppek, was born July 25, 1925 in Wiesbaden, Germany. She resided there until after WW II when she moved to the US with her husband, Robert J. Leppek, who had served in Germany with the US Army.
Initially a resident of Saginaw, Mich., Mrs. Leppek moved to Denver with her family in 1961 and resided here until her death.
In addition to raising five children, Mrs. Leppek had a varied career in Michigan and Colorado, working in various office and retail capacities until the 1980s when she began a longtime involvement with the Volunteers of America, as a Foster Grandparent, working as a counselor and assistant for troubled youths and teens in various residential centers in the Denver area.
She was honored several times for her work with VOA, most recently in 2009 when she was a guest of honor at a banquet at which she was presented with the Marjory Ball Mental Health Advocacy Award.
Described by her family as a warm and loving mother and grandmother who took great pride in the accomplishments of her descendants, Mrs. Leppek was also beloved by the many youths whose lives she influenced positively in the course of her work with VOA.
They nicknamed her Grandma, and often sent her notes and drawings to express their gratitude. Mrs. Leppek frequently related stories of her youth in Germany during the troubled days of the war and her messages against war, hatred and intolerance were the most frequent influences cited by her youthful listeners.
Mrs. Leppek is survived by her children Fred Schmidt of Canon City, Chris Leppek of Denver, Luise Leppek of Thornton, Greg Leppek of Westminster and Roland Leppek of Centennial; her brother Cyril Schmidt of Germany; 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grand-?children.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994 and her brother Otto Schmidt many years ago.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Volunteers of America, 2660 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205; or to Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Dr. East, Lafayette, CO 80026.
Copyright © 2010 by the Intermountain Jewish News
