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July 23, 1926-Oct. 15, 2026
Minot
Leah Kreie, 100, of Minot, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Leah was born July 23, 1926, in Little Falls, MN, the third child and daughter to Leo and Elise (Schrupp) Goebel. She was raised and educated in rural Swanville, MN, later graduating from Swanville High School in 1944.
Following graduation, Leah joined her sisters in St. Paul, MN working as an office assistant for three years. She went on to attend Northwest Nazarene College (now Northwest Nazarene University) in Nampa, Idaho, graduating with a Bachelor of Art in Home Economics. Leah was introduced to Walter Kreie as a pen-pal, and they later were married June 27, 1958, in St. Paul, MN. After their wedding, they made their home in Minot, ND, where Walter was employed with the Great Northern Railroad.
Leah worked for American State Bank prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom when they adopted Roxanne and Randy. Later in life, she assumed the duties of church secretary at First Church of the Nazarene (now Home Church of the Nazarene) in Minot for 11 years. She also served as a local president of Nazarene Missions International, and taught Sunday school.
Leah was always a wonderful cook and gracious hostess. She loved to garden and can the fruit of her efforts. She also enjoyed aquacise at the YMCA, reading, crafts, and needlework; especially counter cross-stitching. She loved her family dearly and loved to share scripture with them. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday with many friends and family present. Her loving and caring ways will be deeply missed.
Leah is survived by: her daughter, Roxanne (Tim) Wilhite; son, Randy and friend Jerrah Falden; grandchildren, Jonathan Wilhite, Stephanie (Bradly) Stepter, and Matthew (Jazlyn) Wilhite; great granddaughters, Elliana, Piper, & Noelle Wilhite, Aaleiya, Haisley, & Kaelin Stepter; niece, Paulette (Bruce) Whitmore, Ginny (Ed) Larson; Nephews Brian (Jana) Kreie, Laren (Kay) Sauter, Gale Sauter, Alan (Judy) Naumann; family friend Becky Bissett, her daughter Karley (Logan) Keifer, and their family.
Leah was preceded in death by: her husband, Walter of 62 years; her parents, Leo and Elise (Schrupp) Goebel; father and mother in law, Walter & Grace (Hazlett) Kreie; sisters, Virginia (Virgie) Goebel, Gurene (Jeanie) Goebel, and Glenna Sauter; brother in laws, Clarence Sauter, Paul Kreie, & Byron Kreie; sister in laws, Nettie Anderson, Shirley Kreie and Lois Kreie; nephew, Terry Sauter, and niece, Gayleen (Sauter) Mattson.
A celebration of Leah's life will be held at Home Church of the Nazarene in Minot on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
A livestream of the service will be available on the funeral home website.
Visitation will be held on Sunday October 25, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Home Church of the Nazarene.
Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.
The family would like to recognize and thank their nurse Tiffany and CHI Hospice for the outstanding care they provided Leah.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.thomasfamily funeralhome.com.
Published by The Minot Daily News, October 22, 2026.