Rapid City – Leanna Jo (DeJong, Martinez) Bussell, 66, was born on June 14, 1952 in Milbank, SD to Margaret and Lawrence DeJong. She graduated from Milbank High School then received a teaching degree from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD ( ♪ Up Northern Wolves! ♪ ). Leanna married Dan Martinez of Edgemont, SD in 1974 and they moved to Rapid City, SD where they had three daughters, Danita, Angela and Andrea. Leanna married Billy Bussell of Rapid City, SD in 2009. She was passionate about education and held many careers in this field such as Job Corps, in-home daycare, Early Childhood Screening, Parents as Teachers and at Calvary Lutheran Church. In 2002 she became a librarian at the Rapid City Public Library where you may have seen her in a story time (with puppets, songs and all!) or had her help you with social media or finding an answer to any question! She retired in 2015. You can see a video of her here: https://youtu.be/K5J8qAEuJ50

Leanna was known for her lively, creative and fun loving spirit. You could always find her cheering on her daughters on the softball fields with a drum and a song, celebrating sports events at Stevens High School, dancing at any occasion – even if it was by herself! You could count on her for the perfect costume for every event be it Halloween parties, school history reports, 4-H presentations, or just an afternoon of fun. Her smile could light up a room, her laughter made you laugh along, and her quirky pranks would get a room going for sure! Leanna was the queen of reusing and reinventing, turning every used item into something else, creating new meals from leftovers and always having "just the right thing" to fix it. She was smart, caring, and always ready to lend a helping hand – she would never say no! It was clear that her love language was gift giving by the packages, cards, gifts and souvenirs you would receive for birthdays, holidays and just because.

Leanna was very active at Calvary Lutheran Church in the quilting group, praying in color group, food shelf, and youth groups. She also enjoyed volunteering with many organizations and traveling across the country with Billy to see family and friends. Most recently, her excitement and joy were doting on her grandchildren. She is loved by many and will be deeply missed. Thank you, Leanna, for the memories and love!

Leanna passed away September 22, 2018 in Rapid City, SD. She was preceded in death by father, Lawrence DeJong; first husband, Dan Martinez; and baby brother DeJong. She is survived by husband Bill; daughters Danita (Brian) Johanneck, Angie (Steve) Martinez Grande and Andrea (Chris) Williams; mother, Margaret DeJong; step-mother, Marlene DeJong; siblings, Michelle (Denny) Flanery, Tim (Sue) DeJong, Dave (Linda) DeJong, Jim (Freda) DeJong, Amy (John Barley) DeJong and Dan (Lynn) DeJong and; step sister, Sherry Rears; grandchildren, Lucia Felix, Dabrien and Rosalyn Johanneck and many nieces and nephews.

Flowers may be sent to Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702

Charitable donations may be given to Calvary Lutheran Church at www.calvaryrapidcity.org , gifts & giving, online donations, memorial offerings in memory of Leanna Bussell. Gifts will be given to the multiple groups that Leanna cherished.

Her memorial visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, September 27 at Calvary Lutheran Church and her Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Friday, September 28 at Calvary Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.