Leslie Egan

Leslie Jean Melby Egan, 79, of Cheyenne passed away March 13 at Davis Hospice Center from complications of a three-year illness and recent stroke. She was a bright light to family and friends and will be dearly missed. Les was born in Oakes, N.D., to Martin and Elizabeth Melby, second of five children. She shared with her daughters many happy stories about her childhood and fun-loving high-school cheerleader days. Les attended Saint Olaf College and University of North Dakota, where she earned degrees in music and Spanish. In college she sang in choirs, played drums and was a Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sister. After college, Les taught music in Minnesota, before heading west to Great Falls, Mont. In 1954 she met her future husband, Jay Egan, a tall, handsome redhead. They married June 21, 1955. Les taught music at West Junior High in Great Falls until the birth of daughters Lynne and Paula. In addition to being an exceptional mother, she taught piano and became a Life Master and teacher of duplicate bridge. A fellow player, Val Knight, taught her how to use a potter's wheel, and soon Les was creating and selling everything from clay piggy banks to handmade flowers. She was also an extremely adept seamstress, gourmet cook, puzzle whiz, avid reader, Scrabble champion, doting animal lover and a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Les moved to Fort Collins following the death of her husband, Jay, and eventually to the Cheyenne area. She attended Christ Lutheran Church and enjoyed being part of the activities of her youngest daughter's family. Les is survived by daughter, Lynne Egan and son-in-law Wayne Klinkel of Helena, Mont.; daughter, Paula Egan-Wright of Cheyenne and son-in-law Larry Wright of Enneri, Haiti; brothers, Robert Melby of Solebury, Pa., Wayne Melby of Alexandria, Minn.; and sister, Mary Kurtz of Washington D.C. Les is also survived by grandchildren Amy, Elena, Dannika, Dorianne, and Jay and great-granddaughter Elisabeth. Les was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Denis Melby. "In those quiet moments in the still of the night Remember to rejoice and celebrate life Do not think of me gone and weep I am not there, I do not sleep" Memorial services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church and in June at the family farm in Alexandria. The family suggests memorials may be given to Christ Lutheran AKIDemy program.