Leanne Deering (nee Kelley) of Chesterfield, MO, passed away at her home on March 31, 2024, at 76. She was born in Leon, IA, on March 27, 1948, to Janice (Moffet) Kelley and Marion Kelley. She grew up in Lamoni, IA, and graduated from Lamoni High School in 1966. She then attended Iowa State University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. After college, she briefly lived in Chicago, IL, and New Haven, MO, before settling in Marshall, MO.
She had a successful retail career, owning three women’s clothing stores in Marshall, Warrensburg, and the Lake of The Ozarks. She then went on to corporate management positions overseeing stores in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Tennessee, and South Dakota. She had a knack for sales and a visual eye for merchandising, which later led to her love of interior decorating and landscaping. While in Sioux City, IA, she met her husband, Michael Deering, they returned to St. Louis and were married in 1995. In 2008, they moved to Sun City, AZ to help with her mother, and while there she started a staging and home design business on the side. After her mother passed, they moved back to the St. Louis area.
Leanne was an avid gardener, active in her neighborhood, and loved her cat. However, of all her roles, she shined as “Nan,” a loving, spunky, generous grandmother.
Leanne was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Michael Deering of Chesterfield, MO; sister, Karla Fowler of Sun City, AZ; son, Jonathan “Jamie” Conboy of St. Louis, MO; stepsons, Tim Deering of Chesterfield, MO and Chris Deering of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Jonathan and Sophie Deering, of Chesterfield, MO; daughter, Cristin Watson (Thomas) of Sunset Hills, MO; and grandchildren Anne, Andrew, Trey, and Katelyn Watson, also of Sunset Hills, MO.
Services: Visitation at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL 10151 Gravois Wednesday April 10, 10:00 AM until services at 12:30 PM. Interment JB National Cemetery. Funeral will be live streamed, click the following link:
Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Leanne will be missed by all who love her. Her beautiful landscape remains a legacy of her love, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail. Cancer simply took her from us too soon, but she will remain in our hearts forever.
I was fortunate to have known Leanne and to have spent time with her and her special family. We enjoyed sharing our love for flowers and gardening. We were blessed to be able to share talking and seeing our grandchildren develop into wonderful teenagers and adults. Leanne was truly a beautiful person both inside and out. Love to Cristin, Tom, Annie, Drew, Trey and Katey
Mike,
I’m so sorry to hear of the death of Leanne and want to assure you of my prayers and thoughts.
Sr Joseph
Thank you for live streaming the service so that I could “attend” from Iowa. I have many good memories of our years at Iowa State. Sending love and hugs to the family.