Leatrice (Deda) Voss

Leatrice (Deda) Voss, 88, of Polson, left this earth bound for heaven on Monday, Aug. 27. Deda was born October 30, 1923 in LaMoure, North Dakota and lived most of her life in Lakefield, Minnesota until following her family to Polson in 1979.  She was married in 1945 to Virgil Voss and lived on the family farm where she gave private piano lessons.  The couple had two children Jane and William. In 1968 she went to work for Berkley & Co. as a secretary. After moving to Montana she worked at the Lake County Courthouse until her retirement.  After her retirement she worked part time for Lake County Abstract & Title. Deda was an accomplished pianist.  She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5, encouraged by her Aunt Augusta (who played for silent pictures in the 1920s and 1930s) and never stopped playing.  She played the organ in her church in Minnesota and the piano in her church in Montana.  She played for soloists, funerals, weddings, school concerts, and the theatre.  Her theatre playing began in 1986 when she began playing for the Port Polson Players.  She was hooked and from then on she played for all the musicals she could until she was 85 and unable to see the music clearly. Playing bridge was her second hobby and had played in many bridge clubs where she made life long friends. Deda was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Lena Hegardt, two sisters Billy Evans, Margaret Hegardt, two brothers Quentin Hegardt, Phillips Phipps, a son William Voss, and great grandson Hudson Taylor. She is survived by a daughter, Jane Taylor (Jerry), daughter in law Shaun Biddle, seven grandchildren:  Jeremy Taylor(Stormy), Justin Taylor (Jaime), Eric Voss, Tim Voss, Laurel Voss, Jessica Voss and Chris Voss, 10 great grandchildren: Chandler, Haley, Anna, Angelina, Logan, Luke, Levi, Coleman, Austin and Ashton.  A memorial service will be held in her honor on Sept. 16 at 5:00 p.m. at New Life Christian Center in Polson.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Port Polson Players, PO Box 1152, Polson, MT  59860.