Leeola Mittelstadt

Leeola Mittelstadt passed away on April 15, 2017 at the age of 86 in Spokane, Washington. She was born on October 5, 1930, in Cascade, Montana, the second child to Andy Anderson and Virginia Hale Anderson. Leeola suffered an initial stroke in July, 2015. Since that time she was lovingly attended to on a daily basis by her husband of 67 years, Don C. Mittelstadt. From the beginning Leeola loved music. As a young girl she played the piano and sang for church and community events. She was blessed with a clear, pitch perfect voice. In 1944 she moved to Spokane with her mother and sister. After graduating from North Central High School, she found employment with Arthur Zepp. She assisted him in his pioneering efforts to develop the Zepp-Montague Musical Kindergarten program which focused on introducing music to preschoolers. For the next forty years Leeola would teach the Arthur Zepp program in her home based studio. Leeola married Don Carleton Mittelstadt on July 7, 1950 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They made their home in Spokane where they raised four children. Their marriage was later solemnized in the LDS Seattle Temple on December 27, 1980. A dedicated, lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Leeola served in many capacities. She is most remembered for her contributions of singing, conducting choirs, playing the piano and organ. A gifted soprano, she sang solos for countless weddings and funerals, never charging for her services. She sang the soprano solo in the Spokane Ralph Woodward Choral production of the Messiah for many years. Her favorite choir experience was the Expo Choir which performed every night on the banks of the Spokane River during the 1974 Spokane World's Fair. Leeola enjoyed reading, writing, gardening, knitting, and crocheting. She loved movies and loved to laugh. She was a member of several book clubs and chronicled her life in more than thirty personal journals. She mostly traveled to family affairs but loved to remember her 50th Anniversary trip to Alaska with her husband and a trip to Israel with her friend Avalene. She had a genuine interest in people and spent countless hours listening and talking with them. She was sought out by many for her wisdom and advice. Her highest priority was her family. She loved them unconditionally. They were at the center of her life and her greatest joy. She was present for every family event. Leeola will be greatly missed by her husband Don C. Mittelstadt and their children Carla Morris, Joani Steck (Kevin), Todd Mittelstadt, and Don Eric Mittelstadt; eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; her sister Mardella Mae Coil (Frank), and many additional family members and friends. Please join the family for a celebration of her life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22nd at the Palouse LDS Chapel, 2721 East 63rd Ave., Spokane. Friends and family members may attend the viewing one hour prior to the service. Leeola will be laid to rest at the Evergreen Cemetery in Rosalia, WA.

Leeola Mittelstadt

October 5, 1930 - April 15, 2017