Leah Marie Wellnitz

Leah passed away on October 26, 2025, after courageously battling cancer for nearly two years. She faced her illness with remarkable strength and determination, fighting as hard and as long as she could.

Deeply proud of her Ojibwe heritage, Leah was a champion dancer on the powwow circuit and carried her culture with grace and pride throughout her life. Professionally, she served as the Sales & Marketing Director for Intercontinental Hotel, where her leadership and dedication made a lasting impact.

Leah was deeply committed to her community. She served as treasurer of the NAACP of St. Paul, helped establish COPE-a nonprofit organization supporting youth in Minnesota-and was an active member of House of Praise Church. Her faith was central to her life; she loved the Lord and found great joy in worship, gospel music, and fellowship.

Outside of her professional and community work, Leah enjoyed science fiction and scary movies, shopping for shoes, and spending cherished time with her children and grandchildren. She was a woman of grit-tenacious, assertive, and endlessly loving. Always ready to help anyone in need, Leah touched countless lives with her generosity, strength, and compassion.

Preceded in death by parents, Richard & Bonita Eaton; son, Darwin Wellnitz; uncle, Joe Eaton; and significant other, Patrick Murray. She will be deeply missed by her children, Lynn (Erich) Blue; Bridget (Wendel) Dsouza, Cody (Karlie) Wellnitz, Michaela Eaton, and Deshawn Murray; grandchildren, Julius, David, Paisley, Elsie, Charlie, Stevie, Dakota, and Damari; great grandbaby Blue on the way; siblings, Lorie (Luke) Tjaden, Alena (Wade) Boklep, and Richard Eaton; nieces, Laura & Amber; nephew, Emmanuel; and many other family and friends. Funeral Service 12PM Saturday, November 1, 2025 at House of Praise, 1115 Greenbrier St., St. Paul, with visitation starting at 11AM at the church.