"LeeAnn was delightful with a beaming smile, and good hearted with a great sense of humor. Warm condolences to Steve and her family. "
In loving memory of
LeeAnn D. Tufte
September 19, 1962 - January 14, 2022
LeeAnn Dell Tufte, 59, of Oskaloosa, Kansas passed away January 14, 2022, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence Kansas.
Surrounded by her family she passed in peace. She and her husband Steve bravely fought her cancer for three years between the Mayo Clinic and Kansas medical facilities. Eventually succumbing to it, she left to be with our Savior Jesus Christ, where there is no pain, only joy.
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." Revelation 21:4. Thank you, Father.
LeeAnn was born September 19, 1962 to Leonard and Beverly Volkman. Raised in Rushford Minnesota, she's a 1980 graduate of Rushford High School. She married Steve in 1982, shortly thereafter she coached the girls junior varsity basketball team for two years, later when they moved to Chatfield she also coached their girls JV basketball team until she joined the 79th MP Co. Army Reserve in Rochester.
She was a legal secretary at the Rochester Federal Medical Center at that time and in 1990 the 79th MP Co. was called to duty in Iraq for Desert Storm, she served and returned in 1991 from the war. Her duties in the Army Reserve also took her to Panama, Venezuela, Guatemala and Japan.
The family moved to Oskaloosa, Kansas in 1997, she transferred to the Kansas City Federal Bureau of Prisons as a paralegal for FOIA.
She joined the Fort Riley, Kansas Army reserve as an Army MP Investigator and continued to serve there for three years.
She was contracted by the Secret Service as a security officer for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah.
LeeAnn loved basketball and was the Oskaloosa girls varsity basketball coach and junior varsity volleyball coach for 10 years in the 2000's (During this time she worked at Fort Leavenworth as a paralegal supervisor).
She retired from the Bureau of Prisons in 2015 and became the bookkeeper for the family businesses.
LeeAnn also joined the Kansas Search and Rescue (KSAR) team with her dog Paco, she loved training and working with him.
She enjoyed horseback riding with her friends and Allie Kingsley, they rode in many parades with her horses Starman and Chrissy.
She tirelessly helped Steve and her sons David and Garret in their businesses as long as she physically could, she's irreplaceable.
Mourning the loss of LeeAnn are her husband of 39 years, Steve; her son David and wife Jennifer, granddaughters Reyna and Rowan and grandson Burke; son Garret; Stepmother Pat Volkman; brother Lowell Volkman (Alecia) and their four children, Amber Hubbard (Terry); Leigh Volkman (Kayla); Tiffany Schollmeier (Carl); Bridgette;
Sister Mandy Fenske (Kevin) and their two children Owen and Abby; Stepbrothers and stepsisters Tony, Kelly, Kari and Sean (deceased) Hanson; and 9 great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Leonard Volkman and mother Beverly Hanson.
There will be a funeral service for LeeAnn at 11:00 am on Friday, January 21, 2022, at Rushford Lutheran Church with Reverend Steve Chellew officiating. Burial will take place at Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Rushford Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service on Friday also at the church.
Please leave a memory of LeeAnn and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com
Tributes
"LeeAnn was a special person. We knew her as a teenager and met again when they moved to Chatfield. We had great fun playing Wednesday night women\'s volleyball. We send Steve and family our deepest sympathy. Cindy & Tom McManimon"
"Dear family, I knew LeeAnn from our work at the BOP. She was the consummate professional, always kind and helpful. I am sorry to hear of her passing; a fine woman and good colleague and friend."
"She always had a smile and friendly hello,,Condolences and prayers for the family."
"I am so sorry to hear of LeeAnn\'s passing. I had the pleasure of working with her for many years in the Bureau of Prisons. She was a kind soul, hard worker and a pleasure to be around. My heart goes out to her family and friends during this difficult time."
"Oh lady I am so glad you are not in pain anymore but wish you were still here. You were one heck of a softball player and I am honored to have gotten to play with you. Keep smiling till we can play again. Rest in peace"
"Leeann, your shining personality will be greatly missed. You always had a smile and good word to say. You were a shining example of what good people can do for others. It was an absolute pleasure to have served together with the 79th Military Police Company. The strength and personality you displayed during the Persian Gulf War was a comfort and guiding point for many of our brothers and sisters serving together. We have lost a great human being. You fought a good fight and will be greatly missed. May god grant you eternal peace and the rest that you have deserved, and may he provide comfort to your family in this time of great sadness. Robert Schmidt, MSG, US Army Retired (79th Military Police Company)"
"Condolences to LeeAnn\'s family. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Rest in peace LeeAnn. "
"Leeann was an awesome troop and team member. Always smiling and kind to everyone. She will be dearly missed. I served with the 79th and toured Desert Storm with her. God bless her and her family. Rest In Peace!"
"Andy and Ann Hogan (nek-sar) She was a great lady. Prayers to the family."
"Our thoughts are with you and your family "
"Worked with Leeann at the Olympics with the BOP. Great person. Condolences to the family. "
"LeeAnn, I will always remember your laugh, your beautiful sparkling eyes, and the way you loved my brother and your boys, Jenn, and grandkids with all your heart. You were truly the strongest, bravest, most positive women I?ve ever known. Rest in peace dear Sis. MariAnne Tufte-Rugut ?Marnie?"
"Heaven has definitely gained another angel. LeeAnn was so friendly loved visiting with her when I would see her around Rushford. Rest In Peace. Hugs and prayers to the family. ????????"
"LeeAnn, your spirit and shine will be how many of us will always remember you. Your smile was contagious, and your energy and strength lifted everyone around you. Those of us who were proud to serve along side you will always carry a piece of you forward, and the world is truly a better place because of you. I\'m proud to have been your friend and brother through Desert Storm and the BOP family as well. Rest peacefully my friend, and I know you\'ll continue watching over your loving family from afar. Andy Riehm, MSG US Army Retired, BOP FCI Waseca"
"LeeAnn, my sister, you shared your smile with us whether we were in the sand box or Venezuela! Your spirit kept us all going forward. You never quit and when cancer touched you, you kept moving forward. The world just hit a little darker without you in it. Hugs to Steve and the family! Love always! Dave Arpin 1SG/RET #79thMPfamilystrong"
"My sister, you will be missed but, never forgotten. I, and many others, were honored to serve with you. I love you. Until Valhalla. Karla (SFC/USA/Ret)"