Leatta "Lea" K. Mathis, 66, Lead, SD died unexpectedly Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Lea was born to the late Doris (Uphoff) and Carol Johnson on December 29, 1948 in Mitchell, SD. Lea grew up on a farm where she loved to ride horses and read books, especially those with a horse in it. Lea attended school in a one room rural school house through 8th grade where she liked to quickly finish her homework so she could help others. After graduating from high school, Lea attended University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN until Douglas Mathis of Mitchell, SD swept her off her feet and they were married April 2, 1971. Their shared joke was, "We should have been married the day before on April Fool's Day." The couple was blessed with three children. The family resided in eastern SD until their move to Lead, in 1978 where they remained throughout Lea's life with the exception of brief stints in Alliance, NE and Spearfish, SD after the Homestake Mine closed in 1999.

Lea's inquisitive mind and ability to pick up things quickly led to a varied and colorful professional career. Vo-tech instructor, paralegal, founder and partner in a gift shop dedicated to South Dakota made products, executive director of Historic Deadwood-Lead Arts Council, librarian, and most recently contract specialist at the former Homestake Mine/current Sanford Lab, were among her positions. Lea loved the Black Hills; no matter where she resided, Lead always had a special place in her heart. She was very active in the community and provided support to several organizations over the years, among them were the Lead Planning and Zoning Commission, Lead Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Lead Opera House Society, Lead Library Endowment Board of Directors, St. Patrick's Parish Council, and South Dakota Mining Association. Lea loved her community, but she loved her family and friends even more. She was often the organizer and planner for family reunions and get-togethers with friends. She enjoyed a good chat in person or over the phone and knew how to write a letter or card that always made you feel special. What made her happiest was time with her immediate family. You could find her making family favorites like scalloped potatoes and ham or spaghetti pie and planning crafts and activities when her children and grandchildren visited. The older grandchildren fondly nick-named Lea "Gramma-Talks-A-Lot," a loving indication of how much she enjoyed a good visit.

Survivors include her husband; Doug, children; Nicole (Ken Barkdoll) Mathis of Tooele, UT, Heath (Ann) Mathis of Denver, CO and Kyle (Jodi Friedel) Mathis of Spearfish, SD, brother; Dale (Linda) Johnson of Alliance, NE and five grandchildren, Hali Barkdoll (Ken Barkdoll) of Corvallis, OR, Lexi Mathis and Saylah Block (Kyle Mathis) of Highlands Ranch, CO, Allison and Ryan Mathis (Heath Mathis) of Denver, CO and one great- grandchild, Kenneth Barkdoll (Hali Barkdoll and Alex Manriquez).

Visitation for Lea will be 5-7 PM, Wednesday, December 30 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lead, followed by a Vigil Service at 7 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 AM, Thursday, December 31, also at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to some of Lea's favorite organizations, which follow.

Lead Phoebe Apperson Hearst Library
315 W Main St.
Lead, SD 57754
605-584-2013

Lead Historic Opera House
PO Box 412, 313 W. Main Street
Lead, SD 57754
605-584-2067
http://www.leadoperahouse.org/

Friends of the Twin City Animal Shelter
722 E Main St,
Lead, SD 57754
605-584-2480

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.