Jean LaPerle Christine Weathermon Leimback
December 4, 1929 – June 2, 2011
Jean LaPerle Christine Weathermon Leimback, 81, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. For many years she waged an inspiring fight against cancer. She was born December 4th, 1929, in Clark, Wyoming, to Esther Sophia Palmer and Edward Christopher Weathermon, the fifth of six children. She was a graduate of Bridger High School in Montana.
Jean leaves Clifford Edward Leimback, her husband of sixty years; daughters Vicki Ann (fiancé Dan Christopherson) and Karen Lea (Randy Krajcovic); and grandson, Tristan Henry Krajcovic, the light of her life; all of Seattle. Siblings include Ada Eckerman of Powell, Wyoming and Christine “Tootie” Giest of Bridger, Montana; Lee Weathermon of Clark, Wyoming and Mark Weathermon of Witten, South Dakota; preceded in death by sister Margaret Bailey. Many cherished nieces and nephews survive.
Cliff and Jean met at a Friday night dance in Billings. Amazingly, a letter addressed simply “Cliff Leimback, Eugene, Oregon” was delivered while Cliff, at the time, was attending the University of Oregon. A brief courtship followed and soon Jean was enroute by train to Tacoma to be wed. During the trip, a fourth pinochle player was needed to complete a friendly card game in the Montana Governor’s private car so Jean obliged!
Cliff and Jean were married on March 18, 1951. In 1963, they built a house in Port Madison on Bainbridge Island. In 1979, they built another home on the golf course in Wing Point. Jean was very involved in the design of both homes.
A long time resident of Seattle, Bainbridge Island and Rancho Mirage, Jean enjoyed dancing, golf and her bridge games, as well as painting and gardening. On Bainbridge Island, she was an active member of Wing Point Golf and Country Club for over 30 years, Broadmoor Golf and Country Club in Seattle and more recently, Desert Island Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Jean golfed her first hole-in-one before Cliff shot any of his seven.
Jean was a loving wife and mother and adoring grandmother. Her greatest joy the past twelve years was her grandson, Tristan. “Sweet Jean” will be fondly remembered by those her life touched.
The family extends their gratitude to Dr. Hank Kaplan and his staff and the staff of Swedish Medical Center 12 East.
A celebration of Jean’s life is planned for Saturday, June 25th, 1:30pm at Magnolia United Church of Christ, 3555 W. McGraw, Seattle.
Remembrances may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
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