Obituary
Marilyn Kay Leichty, 80, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa passed away on August 15, 2021. Marilyn was
born in Mount Pleasant on June 30, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Doris (Roth) Graber.
She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and continued on to receive a bachelor's degree in
nursing at Goshen College. Her postgraduate education included master's degrees in nursing
and sociology, as well as a PhD in sociology from the University of Iowa.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Norman Hoyt Leichty on May 19, 1974. They were married
for 47 years and had three children together. Her career as a nurse and professor of nursing
and sociology included instruction at Hesston College, Director of Nursing at Goshen College
and Iowa Wesleyan University, and Director of Sociology at Iowa Wesleyan University. She
volunteered at The Crowded Closet and The Fellowship Cup and was a member of the board of
the Parkview Home. She was an active member of the Mennonite Church and served several
capacities throughout her life. Marilyn enjoyed spending time in her garden and turning the
harvest into innovative meals and canned goods. She promoted critical thinking and inclusion of
those on the fringes of society.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her husband Norman and
their three children: Ellen Leichty and Mitchell Havard of Lancaster, PA; Jonathan and Amanda
Bleichty of Mount Pleasant, IA; and Mary Leichty and Andrew Gingerich of Canby, OR; and four
grandchildren: Henry and Menno Bleichty and Eli and Olive Gingerich. Also surviving are
brothers Gerald Graber and Gloria Graber of Freeman, SD and Russel and Barbara Graber of
Hesston, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa PBS in celebration of her dedication to
education. A memorial will be announced at a later date and will be held in Spring or Summer
2022 in accordance with her commitment to the health of her community.
born in Mount Pleasant on June 30, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Doris (Roth) Graber.
She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and continued on to receive a bachelor's degree in
nursing at Goshen College. Her postgraduate education included master's degrees in nursing
and sociology, as well as a PhD in sociology from the University of Iowa.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Norman Hoyt Leichty on May 19, 1974. They were married
for 47 years and had three children together. Her career as a nurse and professor of nursing
and sociology included instruction at Hesston College, Director of Nursing at Goshen College
and Iowa Wesleyan University, and Director of Sociology at Iowa Wesleyan University. She
volunteered at The Crowded Closet and The Fellowship Cup and was a member of the board of
the Parkview Home. She was an active member of the Mennonite Church and served several
capacities throughout her life. Marilyn enjoyed spending time in her garden and turning the
harvest into innovative meals and canned goods. She promoted critical thinking and inclusion of
those on the fringes of society.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her husband Norman and
their three children: Ellen Leichty and Mitchell Havard of Lancaster, PA; Jonathan and Amanda
Bleichty of Mount Pleasant, IA; and Mary Leichty and Andrew Gingerich of Canby, OR; and four
grandchildren: Henry and Menno Bleichty and Eli and Olive Gingerich. Also surviving are
brothers Gerald Graber and Gloria Graber of Freeman, SD and Russel and Barbara Graber of
Hesston, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa PBS in celebration of her dedication to
education. A memorial will be announced at a later date and will be held in Spring or Summer
2022 in accordance with her commitment to the health of her community.
Services
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