Marsha Kaye (Frey) Leahy, 73, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the Five Roses Adult Care Home in Glendale, Arizona with her husband by her side. Marsha was born December 6, 1950, the oldest of three children, to John and Colleen (Leete) Frey in Oelwein, IA. She received her education at Fayette High School graduating in the class of 1969. She then attended Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis, MN and graduated with an Associates Degree in Travel and Tourism. She then worked for the Fred R. Wilson Corporation in Minneapolis until 1974.
On July 20, 1974, she was united in marriage to Donald William Leahy at the United Methodist Church in Fayette, IA. They lived in Minneapolis for four years before moving to Westbrook, MN for 3 years. Marsha worked at the Westbrook High School as an administrative assistant to the principal. They then moved to West Union, IA on November 15, 1981. Marsha and Don were the owners of Burnham-Wood Funeral Home for 28 years. Two children were born into this union, Shayna Marie in 1978 and Mitchell Martin in 1985. Marsha was very active over the years in the local Jaycettes, CIVIC Club, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Catholic Daughters of America and the Rosary Society at Holy Name Catholic Church. She was also involved and attended all of her children’s activities and later her granddaughter’s. After their retirement in 2010, Don and Marsha enjoyed wintering in Sun City, Arizona and always enjoyed visitors.
Preceding her in death was her father, John Frey on April 30, 1994.
Those left to mourn her passing are her husband, Don Leahy; daughter, Shayna (Matt) Zmolek of Tama, her son, Mitchell (Lindsay) Leahy of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren, Zophia and Stella Zmolek; her mother, Colleen Frey of Fayette; two brothers, Jack (Sue) Frey of Fayette and Randy (Rhonda) Frey of Cedar Rapids and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be on Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home in West Union, Iowa. Rosary Prayer service will be held prior to the visitation starting at 3:30pm at the funeral home.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am on Monday, March 4, 2024 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Fayette, Iowa with Rev. Ralph Davis as the Celebrant.
Burial will take place at the West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa with a dinner to follow at Holy Name Catholic Church Parish Hall in West Union.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Legion Auxiliary Post 15 and the Holy Name Rosary Society in West Union.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.