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Obituary: Dena Leathem

Dena Leathem

Dena Leathem

Dena Leathem, 83, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2013 in Flagstaff, Ariz. Dena Leathem was born on Nov. 4, 1929 in Santa Barbara, Calif. to Walter and Peggy Unger. Walter and Peggy Unger, who were Vaudeville entertainers, raised Dena, her two sisters, Patrika and Judith, and a brother, Bob, in the Santa Barbara/Los Angeles, Calif. area. Dena married Robert Burns and had a son, Bob Burns. She later became very interested in studying bible truths and was baptized on Nov. 14, 1964 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in Cloverdale, Calif.

Dena found love again and married for a second time to Jim Leathem of Holbrook, Ariz. on May 13, 1972 for 40 years until her death. They made their home in Holbrook, Ariz. where Jim owned and operated an electronics store. Dena was assigned to help any that wanted to learn and study bible truths at the Coconino County Jail, women's area, in Flagstaff, Ariz. Jim and Dena then moved to Blanding, Utah where they served in the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for about three years, until they moved to Williams, Ariz. to make it their home in 1977. Dena was employed with the Williams radio station, KBWA, as an announcer, where she was known as the music box lady. When the radio station stopped operation, Dena and her husband went into the janitorial service for KC Hilites. Dena was then hired as the secretary for the District Engineer at Arizona Department of Transportation in Flagstaff until she retired.

Dena was an avid and studious reader of the bible. Writing and reading were her favorite pastimes. Dena cultivated many fruitages of the spirit as a result of her study of the scriptures. Dena was a loving, kind and understanding person. She always showed compassion and empathy for the downtrodden and offered them encouragement and comfort to soothe them. Dena also had a wonderful sense of humor that could make you forget your troubles. With her in-depth knowledge of the scriptures Dena helped many others to study and learn scriptural truths. Dena served faithfully as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, sharing bible truths with others for over 48 years until her death. She completed her life faithfully until death and received her crown of life-Revelation 2:10.

Dena was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Burns, and stepson, Pat Leathem. She is survived by her husband, Jim Leathem of Parks, Ariz., son, Bob Burns (Pam) of Phoenix, and granddaughter, Amy Jo Burns of Phoenix, her two sisters, Patrika Cox and Judith Schachel of Arkansas, and brother, Bob Moser of Oregon, also a stepson, Mike Leathem, and three great-grandchildren.

All are welcome to attend the memorial services being held for Dena on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5490 N. Sunset Strip (off Highway 64) in Williams, Ariz. Arrangements are being handled by Norvel-Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Ariz.


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