Marvin “Marv” Joseph Leanna, musician and southwestern artist, born January 22, 1941 in Woodstock, IL, to Robert and Eleanor (Lickman) Leanna, passed to the next life on June 11, 2018, in his home in Sahuarita, Arizona with his loving family at his side. A kind and gentle spirit, Marv was a loving and constant positive presence to everyone who knew him.

He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Woodstock, IL and went on to Loras College in Iowa and Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minnesota, where he married Sally Tibbets in 1961, before beginning his work career for his father at Woodstock Heating Company. He later purchased that business and spent 35 plus years serving the community. He was a member of the Woodstock Jaycees, Rotary, active in PTA, and on the Little League Board for many years, as well as a member of the Pastel Artists of America and the country-western band, the PM Express.

He retired and moved to Arizona in 1998, where he served as a volunteer portraying a “padre” with the Los Tubaqueanos at Tubac State Park, and the Tumacacori National Historical Park, where he served on various committees’ as well as president of the Friends of Tumacacori for a time. Throughout his life he enjoyed his gardening, his artwork, and his music.

He is survived by his wife, Nola Hoard Kruspig Leanna, his father, Robert Leanna of AZ, one son, Rob (Bridgett) Leanna, two daughters, Kelly (Bill) Hallam, and Shannon (Danny) Taylor, all of IL, as well as stepdaughter, Emily Kruspig-Church, and stepson, Rich Kruspig, both of AZ, and grandchildren, Amanda (Daniel) Antczak, Josh (Mubu) Hallam, Jeremy (Catie) Leanna, Ali (Cody) Kunz, Sydney and Haley Leanna, Sarah and Dominic Taylor, step grandson, Timothy Church, and great grandchildren, Summer Taylor, Zane Hallam and Emma Kunz; also two sisters, Lorraine Menzimer of IL and Judy Tessendorf of CO, and several nieces and nephews. Marv was preceded to the next life by his mother and his sister, Juanita Ritzert.

A memorial celebration of Marv’s life will be held in Woodstock from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 30, at Flores Banquets, 240 N. Throop St. (the former VFW building where the PM Express played in times past).


A Courtesy Obituary Placement