Muriel Jacobson Leafstedt

The world lost a noble and loving light with the passing of Muriel Jacobson Leafstedt, born December 6, 1938, to Lowell and Marie Jacobson, and died in San Antonio, Texas, on July 24, 2022. Muriel was born in a farm house in rural Bridgewater, South Dakota, and raised in the farming community of Alcester, South Dakota, alongside her brother, Lowell Dale, and sister, Melva. Her father passed away suddenly when she was in early high school, placing significant burden on the family. Her lifelong belief in the importance of hard work took root during those difficult years. Salutatorian of her high school class, Muriel worked her way through a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics at South Dakota State University in 1960.

She married Stuart Leafstedt of Alcester on July 3, 1960. She taught home economics in Evanston, Illinois, while Stuart went to medical school at Northwestern University. The couple had their three children during Stuart’s medical residencies and military service in Portland, Oregon, and Merced, California. Muriel recalled these years as the couple’s most happy, full of family memories of their children and travel throughout the Pacific Northwest. They eventually returned to the Midwest to live in Sioux City, Iowa, which would be the family home for the next three decades.

Deeply proud of her Norwegian American heritage, Muriel raised her children in an environment that focused on the value of family, education, and hard work. She possessed superior business skills, all of which she credited to her years as a small business owner, an uncommon endeavor for a woman of her generation. She joyfully owned and operated the Lazy Daisy, a needlework and knitting store in downtown Sioux City, nurturing her lifelong love of textiles, color, and creative handwork, and inspiring her children’s own creative pursuits. Throughout her time in Sioux City she was also active as a lay leader at Trinity Lutheran Church, earning the affectionate moniker in the family as the “church lady.” After her husband retired she served many years as chief financial officer for Morningside Lutheran Church. Many boards of directors benefited from her sharp attention to finance and wise management practices. Her grace and good cheer in all settings earned her ready admiration throughout her life.

In 2001, Muriel and Stuart relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where her son Carl had settled with his family and where she could enjoy some warmer winters. Here she found perhaps her greatest challenge when Stuart’s multiple sclerosis forced her into a role as a full-time caregiver. She quickly threw herself into her new life, gained many new friends through P.E.O., the Tuesday Musical Club, Oakwell Farms Women's Club, St. John's Lutheran Church, and the San Antonio International Piano Competition board of directors. An abiding love for music defined her life. With friends and family she attended hundreds of concerts in her later years. She never turned down a chance to hear a good organ recital. Intellectually curious her entire life, she reveled in the cultural activities available to her in San Antonio. She enjoyed good health until age 79, when she was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disease that led to her rapid decline.

Muriel is survived by her son Carl Leafstedt (Ann), daughter Anne Leafstedt Hussian (Jack), and son Matthew Leafstedt; her eight grandchildren, Wendell, Kent, Ian, Julia, Ellen, Erik, Marc, and Mia; her nieces and nephews, and her brother-in-law James Leafstedt (Melva) and sister-in-law Beverly Jacobson (Lowell Dale).

Memorial gifts may be made to the San Antonio Chamber Choir, Camerata San Antonio, Tanzania Health Partnership, the Stuart W. Leafstedt Faculty Development Fund at the University of South Dakota, or to the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 23, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan Street, San Antonio, TX.