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Leah Beske Obituary
Leah was born on August 9th, 1962, to Norma and Edmund Boehne in Denver, CO, the fourth of five siblings. She graduated from Lutheran High School, La Verne, CA, earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations at UC Davis, and a Master's Degree in Education at CSU Los Angeles. Her education experiences included time abroad - spending her junior year of high school in Veracruz, Mexico, and her junior year of college at the Université de Bordeaux, France. There she made lifelong friends and developed her gift of languages, becoming proficient in Spanish, French and Italian.
A consummate educator, Leah began teaching in Cali, Colombia, serving as an English language instructor for a year. Returning to the U.S.A., she taught Spanish and French at Lutheran High School in Orange, CA. After marrying Mike and joining the ranks of Navy Spouses, she taught adult education and Spanish at Kodiak College in Kodiak, AK, for two years. Following her break from teaching to manage the family and raise her children, she returned to her calling as a substitute teacher for Coronado Unified School District. "Mrs. Beske", known for her shining personality (and signature braid), was a force in the classroom, a close friend to the faculty and staff for 15 years, she will be remembered as a remarkable friend, educator and community member.
Throughout her life, Leah spent much of her free time volunteering in the community. Whether it was at her kids' schools in San Diego, Spain, or Coronado, delivering Meals on Wheels, teaching parenting classes in San Antonio, acting as Command Ombudsman to her husband's unit while stationed in Rota, Spain, or the dozen+ years serving the Monday afternoon meal at Third Avenue Charitable Organization in downtown San Diego, she was a selfless, generous soul who lived for others.
Leah's love of travel, visiting other cultures and exploring the world led her to become a travel-planner extraordinaire. She was the visionary behind her family's world-wide adventures, making the most of the family's time living in Spain by coordinating family trips to England, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Belgium. After returning to San Diego she continued planning trips to Thailand, the Peruvian Amazon, Bali, Guatemala, France, Turkey, Canada, Czech Republic, Austria, Vietnam, Sweden, Cambodia and Scotland. She enjoyed numerous "girls" trips with her friends - all filled with fun, adventure and lasting memories.
Leah is preceded in death by her father Edmund and her brother Kurt. She is survived by her mother Norma, sister Rachel, brothers Bruce and Craig, husband Mike, sons Calen and Kurt, daughter Quinn, daughters-in-law Rebecca and Maya, and three beautiful grandchildren.
Leah's spirit embodies a true zest for life. She loved music, dancing, adventuring and finding joy. Her family encourages all who knew her to bring that vibrancy into their lives and never miss an opportunity to dance and to seize the day.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at her home in Coronado, CA. Friends are welcome to join the family from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Please dress summer casual in Leah-style. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Leah's favorite charity: Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO), www.tacosd.org, or go volunteer!
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SUSAN LAWRENCE
February 14, 2025
Miss you Leah. It isn't the same here without you. Looking forward to your heavenly happy hours.
Jaci Shroder
August 9, 2024
Happy Heavenly Birthday our dear Leah! You get the party started there and we will take over here...... raise a glass to Leah and her family!! Missing you so very much. Xoxoxoxo
Dotty Hummeldorf
July 20, 2024
I met Leah in Spain in 2001 and we were fast friends. Our kids swam on the swim team together and Leah literally schlepped the Hummeldorf family across Europe. With swim meets in Germany, Italy, England and Belgium- there was no language she didn´t know. I feel so fortunate to have had someone who wasn´t afraid of anything show us Europe. Leah was like a second mother to my boys and had a unique relationship with each one. Her love of music, travel and dancing was eclectic, legendary and joyful. I never heard Leah say anything disparaging about another human. She seemed to take life´s hardships in stride and never complained- not even about her ALS. Our daily walks, even towards the end, were filled with solving world problems. Leah was a champion of the homeless community and gave much time and treasure to alleviate their plight.
My heart is heavy with the weight of all the memories we have shared over the past 23 years. You have been my confidante, sidekick and best friend through so many of life´s ups and downs. I will cherish the laughter, the tears, the happy hours, pre-deployment briefs, daily walks and the countless adventures we have embarked on together. You have been a constant source of joy and support in my life, and I am eternally grateful for your presence. I will never not remember you. I miss you so much. To the Beske bunch and Boehne brood- endless love and hugs. To the rest of us "Live like Leah."
Erin Kenney
July 4, 2024
Leah and I met 42 years ago. During our junior year abroad in France. She studied in Bordeaux and I had a split year in the small town of Pau and then Paris.
We started our year there with a few days in Paris. And the only thing I remember of those days was meeting Leah and having a picnic at the Tuileries gardens with her and a few other new friends. Baguette and cheese and wine. Very poor French. And a lot of laughs.
Was there ever a time with Leah without a lot of laughs?
You know how she could laugh really hard, without making a sound?
You know how she could say something outrageous and funny and make it impossible not to laugh. Can´t you see Mike shaking his head....
You know how she could always get us up dancing. There was no other option.
Leah was the kind of friend everyone wants. Always there when you need her. Always able to make you smile. Always able to put things into perspective. And even help you relax.
After university, we lived together first in a single room in Berkeley and then in an apartment on Nob Hill (snob hill as Leah called it) in San Francisco.
We were broke and starting out. We had nothing in the cupboards or refrigerator. But Leah always managed to bring home wine-from Macy´s cellar. Only the best for Leah. Especially because Macy´s was the only place that would give us credit cards! I still love Macy´s.
I remember in San Francisco, we decided to have a Superbowl party because the 49ers were in it. So Leah went across the street and negotiated with the Indian store owner to rent a rabbit ears TV for the day. I think that is the party when someone´s skirt caught fire on a candle. Never a dull moment with Leah.
I remember visiting Norma and Ed in Temple City-many times. Once Ed took us to Tijana to get his car reupholstered. Giggling in the back seat at the border, I think we all nearly got arrested. While Ed tended to the car, Leah and I drank margueritas and ate real salsa and chips. And then got our photo taken on a donkey thanks to Leah´s negotiating skills in Spanish. I think we paid more than the donkey owner wanted. We laughed so hard.
I remember when Mike came on the scene. Cool car. A job-no wait a Navy Seal?! And what? A Lutheran?! A perfect match made in heaven. A bridal shower to remember-if only we could. I do remember Leah wearing a lamp shade at one point. And a wedding reception -including a singing bride-- that had to get closed down by the police.
Over 42 years we managed to stay close and visit often. Mike put up with our uncontrollable fits of laughter. I visited them in Alaska and San Antonia and Spain and almost everywhere else. They came to visit me many times in various places. And celebrated their wedding anniversary in Greece and Switzerland.
Leah was in my wedding. And by my side when I got divorced. Using her frequent flyer miles to make the trip when I needed it most.
That is the kind of friend that Leah was. Unwavering. Putting in the effort to keep a friendship strong. Always up for adventure. Never afraid. I knew that I could count on her -no matter what.
And she was that kind of woman too. And that kind of wife. And that kind of mother.
She loved Mike and her three children more than anything. She was so very proud of her 3 gorgeous children.
And she was overjoyed and also very proud about her 2 new daughters and 3 grandchildren.
The family that Mike and Leah created is amazing. We have all witnessed their amazing-ness over the years.
And it showed so clearly in how they were there for her and cared for her during these past couple of years. I know I speak for everyone who knows -- and for Leah too -- when I say thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Music and dancing were the other loves of her life. Everyone knows that. They were freedom for her. And joy. The ingredient that made her world go around.
She also loved happy hour, Manhattans, and 2-buck chuck - back in the day.
She drew a lot of satisfaction from her work at school and her colleagues there, and also from her volunteer work.
Her faith was strong and evolved over time. She took pride in her church. And she was an active member-including doing readings on Sunday morning.
She was mischievousness -- with a dash of defiance. Including wearing her braid all these years. Although Norma succeeded in getting her to hide it for the wedding.
Leah brought light to our lives. She brought love.
She also brought 2 wonderful families into our lives: the Boehnes and the Beske. I treasure that.
And in particular, she brought the extraordinary Mike Beske. Who filled her life and mine with so many blessings.
Maya Angelou said that we will forget what someone said, or what they did, but we will never forget how they made us feel.
And Leah made us feel wonderfully alive.
I end with my all-time favorite philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, who said:
"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard".
Here´s to Leah
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Erin Kenney
July 4, 2024
Leah and I met 42 years ago. During our junior year abroad in France. She studied in Bordeaux and I had a split year in the small town of Pau and then Paris.
We started our year there with a few days in Paris. And the only thing I remember of those days was meeting Leah and having a picnic at the Tuileries gardens with her and a few other new friends. Baguette and cheese and wine. Very poor French. And a lot of laughs.
Was there ever a time with Leah without a lot of laughs?
You know how she could laugh really hard, without making a sound?
You know how she could say something outrageous and funny and make it impossible not to laugh. Can´t you see Mike shaking his head....
You know how she could always get us up dancing. There was no other option.
Leah was the kind of friend everyone wants. Always there when you need her. Always able to make you smile. Always able to put things into perspective. And even help you relax.
After university, we lived together first in a single room in Berkeley and then in an apartment on Nob Hill (snob hill as Leah called it) in San Francisco.
We were broke and starting out. We had nothing in the cupboards or refrigerator. But Leah always managed to bring home wine-from Macy´s cellar. Only the best for Leah. Especially because Macy´s was the only place that would give us credit cards! I still love Macy´s.
I remember in San Francisco, we decided to have a Superbowl party because the 49ers were in it. So Leah went across the street and negotiated with the Indian store owner to rent a rabbit ears TV for the day. I think that is the party when someone´s skirt caught fire on a candle. Never a dull moment with Leah.
I remember visiting Norma and Ed in Temple City-many times. Once Ed took us to Tijana to get his car reupholstered. Giggling in the back seat at the border, I think we all nearly got arrested. While Ed tended to the car, Leah and I drank margueritas and ate real salsa and chips. And then got our photo taken on a donkey thanks to Leah´s negotiating skills in Spanish. I think we paid more than the donkey owner wanted. We laughed so hard.
I remember when Mike came on the scene. Cool car. A job-no wait a Navy Seal?! And what? A Lutheran?! A perfect match made in heaven. A bridal shower to remember-if only we could. I do remember Leah wearing a lamp shade at one point. And a wedding reception -including a singing bride-- that had to get closed down by the police.
Over 42 years we managed to stay close and visit often. Mike put up with our uncontrollable fits of laughter. I visited them in Alaska and San Antonia and Spain and almost everywhere else. They came to visit me many times in various places. And celebrated their wedding anniversary in Greece and Switzerland.
Leah was in my wedding. And by my side when I got divorced. Using her frequent flyer miles to make the trip when I needed it most.
That is the kind of friend that Leah was. Unwavering. Putting in the effort to keep a friendship strong. Always up for adventure. Never afraid. I knew that I could count on her -no matter what.
And she was that kind of woman too. And that kind of wife. And that kind of mother.
She loved Mike and her three children more than anything. She was so very proud of her 3 gorgeous children.
And she was overjoyed and also very proud about her 2 new daughters and 3 grandchildren.
The family that Mike and Leah created is amazing. We have all witnessed their amazing-ness over the years.
And it showed so clearly in how they were there for her and cared for her during these past couple of years. I know I speak for everyone who knows -- and for Leah too -- when I say thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
Music and dancing were the other loves of her life. Everyone knows that. They were freedom for her. And joy. The ingredient that made her world go around.
She also loved happy hour, Manhattans, and 2-buck chuck - back in the day.
She drew a lot of satisfaction from her work at school and her colleagues there, and also from her volunteer work.
Her faith was strong and evolved over time. She took pride in her church. And she was an active member-including doing readings on Sunday morning.
She was mischievousness -- with a dash of defiance. Including wearing her braid all these years. Although Norma succeeded in getting her to hide it for the wedding.
Leah brought light to our lives. She brought love.
She also brought 2 wonderful families into our lives: the Boehnes and the Beskes. I treasure that.
And in particular, she brought the extraordinary Mike Beske. Who filled her life and mine with so many blessings.
Maya Angelou said that we will forget what someone said, or what they did, but we will never forget how they made us feel.
And Leah made us feel wonderfully alive.
I end with my all-time favorite philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, who said:
"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard".
Here´s to Leah
Brad Young
June 29, 2024
Brad Young
June 29, 2024
Brad Young
June 29, 2024
I will always remember my times with Leah at Third Avenue Charitable. I looked forward to Mondays (her volunteer day) so I could hear her latest stories/adventures.
She was a wife, mother, friend, grandmother, teacher, volunteer/humanitarian, explorer, and.... well the list goes on.
Working with the unsheltered can be difficult at times, but Leah always had a great attitude, and I truly miss laughing with her.
Farewell for now, my friend.
Tana Erickson
June 26, 2024
Gosh, I'm struggling here.... Leah made me feel like I was the coolest girl in the room when we all knew it was her. When I moved off Kodiak Island before she did she gifted me with words of encouragement for my new life. On the outside of the envelope was written, My Friend Tana. When I struggled with the move, one of many I would pull out that card. I am Leah Beske's friend, suddenly the world was a less scary place for me. She will forever be in my memories and in my story telling. Leah rocking her macaroni encrusted gold high heels, dancing it out at the Beachcombers to Love Shack, hanging our bras outside on the balcony of my friend's condo. We sunbathed on the beaches of Kodiak, toured all the hot spots of interior Alaska and hit all the distilleries in Waco TX. She was and will always be a part of the best times of my life. Memory eternal, My Friend Leah...
Christine Klima
June 22, 2024
I met Leah when she was about 10. Her dad became the principal at the Christian school where our kids went and my husband was who helped hire him. Ed and Norma became fast friends of ours, which means solving all of the worlds´ problems over wine or whatever over the next 40-50 years. Leah was a bright shining star, creative, ridiculously funny - the epitome of her mamma. My heart breaks for Norma. . . . . enough, Lord, enough.
Christine Klima
June 22, 2024
I met Leah when she was about 10. Her dad became the principal at the Christian school where our kids went and my husband was who helped hire him. Ed and Norma became fast friends of ours, which means solving all of the worlds´ problems over wine or whatever over the next 40-50 years. Leah was a bright shining star, creative, ridiculously funny - the epitome of her mamma. My heart breaks for Norma. . . . . enough, Lord, enough.
SUSAN LAWRENCE
June 18, 2024
I miss you so much Leah.
It may sound like hyperbole, but Leah literally saved me when I was in a deep, dark place. She was my only friend. And, what a friend she was. She did so much for me and without judgment and with love. I will spare the details mostly for my own embarrassment. But trust me, she was amazing personified.
My only regret was that I didn´t meet Leah sooner. She was such an awesome example to me of what a wife, mother and friend should be.
And then there was the fun we had. Omgosh she embodied fun. I needed the laughs and she absolutely delivered.
I love you so much Leah. I would be satisfied if I could be half the person you were.
It is a great mystery why God needed to take you from us so soon. I trust there was a purpose and that you are with us now. Your example with inform me until we meet again.
Susan (Bookout) Lawrence
June 18, 2024
Wendy Cresswell
June 13, 2024
Wendy Cresswell
June 13, 2024
Wendy Cresswell
June 13, 2024
I met Leah in the eighties when we were both living in Cali, Colombia. I was teaching at an international school and Leah was teaching English to Colombian adults. The school I was working at provided us with housing and one of my roommates worked at the same school as Leah. I don´t remember exactly how I met Leah-probably at a party-but I do remember that we hit it off right away. One night I went to pick her up to go out and discovered that she was basically living in a closet! She had a piece of foam on the floor for a bed, a clothes rack and that was about it. I was horrified, and invited her to come live in our house right there on the spot. The rest was history!
We had a blast traveling around Colombia and just hanging around in Cali. She was adventurous and up for just about anything. I definitely benefited from her language prowess-I let her do all the talking (which as most of you know, wasn´t a problem!). My favorite story that involved Leah took place at the airport. I was leaving to spend a month in Brazil and Leah was going to be leaving Cali to go home and marry Mike. She met me at the airport to say goodbye. The airport in Cali had two floors and the top floor had no windows-it was open air facing the runway. Well, we were talking, talking, talking, and all of sudden I looked up and noticed that everyone from my flight had left. I looked out and the last of the people were boarding the airplane. I ran downstairs and this guy took my ticket and told me to run out to the runway. When I got outside the plane was taxiing down the runway. I was running down the runway, waving at the plane to stop when my belt broke and my pants began to fall off! Well, long story short, I made it on the plane. They stopped, lowered the back stairs and let me on. Leah said everyone up in the boarding area were watching the whole thing and dying laughing.
I visited Leah in California many times and she came to Arizona to visit me. I also went to visit the family when they moved to Spain. Then life got busy and we mainly kept in touch by writing epic letters to each other. It is unfathomable to me that Leah´s life was cut short by ALS, but I´m so happy that she packed in so many adventures into her life and spread her love and wackiness to so many people all over the world. She will be missed, that´s for sure.
Rick and Trish Rogers
June 13, 2024
While Trish and I were not close to Leah - Mike and I are work colleagues, and most engagements occurred at social functions - she always left an indelible impression, with her gregarious personality and megawatt smile. We also learned to start asking every year, around early summer, to what exotic locale they might be going for their annual December family adventure. Our hearts break for her passing, far too young, and for her family´s loss. The only consolation we can take, after reading about her early life, is that she lived more in her 61 years than many others who lived decades longer. We hope she has inspired others to do the same.
Jamie Rae Downs Blomdal
June 10, 2024
Jamie Rae Downs Blomdal
June 10, 2024
Jamie Rae Downs Blomdal
June 10, 2024
Jamie Rae Downs Blomdal
June 10, 2024
Jamie Rae Downs Blomdal
June 10, 2024
My first friend and freshman orientation roommate at UC Davis, Leah was wild, funny, outgoing and a good friend. Her sense of fashion and decor was nothing less than vibrant and beautiful. In her first apartment at Davis she literally stapled clothing outfits to the living room wall for decor! She introduced me to her major, and later mine, International Relations...as we both were taking French classes. Her language abilities were superior to mine however.
I´ll never forget driving from Davis to Woodland to go to dinner one night and on our way home the steering wheel literally pulled out of the column and rested in her lap! She just plugged it back in and we laughed and prayed all the way back home. That little Opal was quite the car.
She helped prep good for my wedding and I tried to help at hers though Norma and Leah were pretty self sufficient at parties. She urged me to visit her in Spain while Mike was stationed there and I was so happy to go. A perfect tour guide, with her language abilities but dropping her broken sunglasses off of her head into the beautiful historic pond at the palace in Seville topped the cake.
Her vibrant personality was a gift to us all. Her compassion and positivity was a blessing. I pray for Norma, Mike and all the family -her presence was large and I´m sure it´s just a little too quiet now. I am sure she got them laughing and dancing in heaven. Gos Bises mon amie. Jamie Rae
Alisa and Dave Barba
June 10, 2024
When I met Leah - the mother of the man our daughter would eventually marry - I thought, "I´ll be friends with this woman for the rest of my life!" I miss her.
Jaci Shroder
June 9, 2024
I met Leah at the Y in Mission Valley. We took the same class for a couple of years in 1997. We would run around the gym for warm-up and then "play" basketball. She and I would always laugh and mess around. Little did I know then that she would be such a dear, dear friend. We both loved laughing, travel, making art and being active......even trying to play racquetball left handed. Cracked us up. The years flew by as I watched her kids grow and flourish. She and Mike created a fantastic family that has spread that loving, giving Boehne/Beske spirit all over the world! I am so very lucky to have been a part of that!! I will continue to be inspired by her every time I make art, travel, volunteer, give or teach. She was amazing!!! May she be singing and dancing thru all time. I will see her again. All my love to the Boehnes and Beskes. God Bless.
Jaci Shroder and Angel Bob Shroder
R Klima Castillo
June 8, 2024
I was in early elementary school when I met Leah. Our parents were good friends, and we were often toted along when they went to visit at their house. Leah was a few years older, and most times was out doing fun older-teen stuff. That gave me time to explore her room- my favorite was trying on her shoes, lol. Many actually had heels! It´s funny what sticks with you after all these years. I recall how Leah was always a positive life force, a free spirit indeed. May you have endless adventures as you dance throughout the heavens
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