Steven H. Leese, 75 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Steven will be cremated and his family will hold private services in Washington at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Steven Harold Leese was born on March 12, 1944 in San Francisco, California to Harold and Mildred (Lee) Leese.  They made their home in California while Harold was in the military. After Harold was discharged, their family moved to South Dakota for a while before returning back to California.  Steven graduated from high school in Hollister, California in 1962. He was united in marriage to Sharon Latham on February 12, 1963. They had three children together: Shelly, Michael, and Renee; and they later divorced.

Steven began his first career at Douglas Air Craft in Rancho Cordova, California where he helped create missiles.  He worked there for almost 10 years before going to work for his father. Harold owned and operated a shoe store in Roseville, California called The Children's Bootery, and later named The Shoe Farm.  After his father passed away, he began managing a second location for the store.  He then sold insurance for a short time before moving out of state. Steven moved to Le Mars, Iowa where he began working at Wells Blue Bunny. He retired due to his poor heart health.

Steven enjoyed volunteering and spending time with children. He taught Sunday School for several years and volunteered to lead several youth organizations and church groups. Steven and Sharon enjoyed backpacking and would take youth groups on hiking trips into the Sierra Nevada mountains.  Steven would also take weekend trips to go mining and panning and was a member of the Lost Dutchman's Mining Association.  He had many other hobbies that he enjoyed, and always lived life to the fullest. He loved going golfing with his father, playing tennis, and spending time outdoors. He and Sharon watching a lot of NASCAR races over the years and attended many races on Saturday nights in Roseville, California.

Steven is survived by his children: Shelly (Damon) Riffe of Olympia, Washington, Michael Leese of New Castle, California, and Renee (Darren) Stewart of New Castle, California; grandchildren: Krysta, Matthew, and Lacey; great granddaughter, Haylynn; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Steven is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mildred; and sister, Susan Duncan.