Peggy Hayward Funk Leisy

Peggy Hayward Funk Leisy was born August 12, 1935, to Harold and Maude McLane Hayward in Avon, South Dakota. She was the tenth of 14 children. She had eight sisters and five brothers. Peggy attended Avon Public Schools for all 12 years. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1953. She had received a scholarship to the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, but could not attend that year because she needed more funds, so she had to return it. She worked as a bookkeeper for a year, handling payroll and other administrative tasks. She then attended Yankton College, where she majored in math education, received a scholarship, and worked part-time in her bookkeeping job. She attended college for two years and then decided she loved doing bookwork more than being a math teacher.

Peggy married Vernon Funk from American Falls, Idaho. They were married on June 2, 1957, in Yankton, South Dakota. After their wedding, in American Falls. Four children were born to that union. Lorrie Fout (Chuck), Melissa Jessup (Michael), Cameron Funk, and Felicia Funk. Vern was killed in an airplane crash in 1972. Peggy married Leonard Leisy on July 30, 1972. He helped her raise her four children. They were married for 33 years before Leonard died from cancer in September 2005. She was preceded in death by her son, Cameron, her parents, eight sisters, and four brothers. She is survived by one brother, Dennis Hayward; her daughters, Lorrie, Melissa, and Felicia; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She loved her family very much. She was a longtime member of the Community Church in American Falls. For approximately the last 18 years, she has attended the First Baptist Church in Pocatello, which has become her church home.

Peggy enjoyed traveling, and she and Leonard had the opportunity to visit Israel twice, as well as many places in the United States. After Leonard’s passing, she traveled much with her daughter, Melissa, and son-in-law, Michael. Peggy was an avid gardener and received much joy from working in her flower beds. She was also an ardent reader, particularly of historical fiction. Peggy enjoyed going to the senior center for lunch to fellowship with her many friends. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Power County Senior Center, 180 Idaho St., American Falls, ID 83211, or the First Baptist Church, 408 N. Arthur, Pocatello, ID 83204.

A visitation will be from 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. on Monday July 7, at Davis-Rose Mortuary in American Falls. The funeral will follow beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Falls View Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to visit DavisRoseMortuary.com to order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos.