Rachel Grace Tilson was born December 15, 1918 in Minneapolis, Kansas, the youngest child and only daughter of Asa and Grace Ethel (Johnson) Tilson. She passed away Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Sterling House in Salina, Kansas; she was 89 years of age.
Rachel attended Minneapolis schools graduating from Minneapolis High School in 1936. She was active in musical programs including band, orchestra, vocal music, and she was a member of the National Honor Society.
After graduation, she worked in several Ottawa County offices, culminating as secretary to the County Welfare Director.
On November 10, 1940, she was united in marriage with Harold Burris Leeburg. They had a son, Linn Tilson Leeburg and a daughter, Linda Jeanne Leeburg.
Harold was a United States Navy veteran working as an aircraft mechanic and a Petty Officer in World War II. He loved planes and flying and had owned two small planes. At the end of the war, the family returned to Niles, Kansas where Harold farmed with his father until his death on January 7, 1971 at the age of 55. They enjoyed farming together and traveling to the Rockies and Mexico.
Rachel moved to Salina, working as a secretary and administrative assistant. She moved back to Bennington in 1976 living there until moving to Minneapolis in 2002. Her family was a main interest along with friends, her granddaughters' school careers, painting, listening to music, and travel. She was a voracious reader and student of words and their meanings.
Rachel was an active community contributor; involved in the United Church of Bennington and served on the Bennington Cemetery Board for 19 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Eugene and Jack Tilson; two sisters-in-laws, Geneva White Tilson and Faye Beck Tilson; a nephew, Bill J. Tilson; and a niece, Susan Kay Tilson.
Rachel is survived by her son, Linn Leeburg and his wife Verlene; her daughter, Linda Gans and her husband Michael; her grandchildren, Heather Ann Leeburg DeCenzo and her husband Peter, Michele (Mia) Alison Gans Wise and her husband Cecil Howard Wise, Jr., and Andrea Jeanne Gans; and her great-grandson, Roman Pierce DeCenzo.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M., Tuesday at Wilson Shields Funeral Home, Minneapolis with the Rev. Warren Cico officiating. Burial will be in the Bennington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Bennington or Hospice Care of Kansas and may be left in care of the funeral home.