Leah Marjorie Riser Rhodes Winter, age 91, died on June 15, 1996, in Salt Lake City of causes incident to advanced age.
She was born on October 26, 1904, in Kimberly, Utah, to Alma Christopher Riser and Caroline Jensina Poulson Riser.Leah attended the University of Utah and attained a degree in teaching. She taught school prior to her marriage in 1931 to John Gordon (Dusty) Rhodes. As "Dusty" was a professional baseball player, she and her husband traveled all over the U.S.A. Mr. Rhodes played for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Hollywood and San Diego teams.
Leah and "Dusty" had two children: Suzanne M. Rhodes Engels and Patricia J. Rhodes Helsby. They were divorced in 1939 and Leah returned to live with her mother, Caroline Riser, in Salt Lake City.
She worked as a teacher and various World War II related jobs and supported her mother and children. She married Thomas R. Winter in 1947 and moved with her children to Mercer Island, Wash., where they resided for 25 years.
During that time, Leah worked as a substitute teacher on Mercer Island as well as the Junior Sunday School leader for the Mercer Island Ward. Leah and Thomas retired to Holladay, Utah, in 1971. Leah substituted and worked as a volunteer aide at Holladay Elementary School and song leader at the Holladay Ward.
She is survived by her two daughter: Suzanne M. Engels of Holladay, Utah, and Patricia J. Helsby of Vashon Island, Washington; 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy R. Winter of Holladay, Utah.
Leah will be missed as a wonderful Christian example to her family and friends and as a beautiful lady who always looked and acted like a "lady". At one time, when "Dusty" Rhodes was pitching for the Boston Red Sox, Leah walked into her box seat in a new red suit she had knitted carrying baby Suzanne and the band played "The Lady in Red". The whole stadium rose to cheer and salute her. Her family and friends acknowledge her gifts to them of beauty, music, education and a lifetime as a good Christian and will miss her terribly.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, 1996, in the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401 South Highland Drive. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 455 East 400 South, SLC, UT 84103.
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