Diana ‘Diane’ Rowena (Gerlich) Leveque, 65, passed away October 1, 2023 after a hard-fought battle with cancer, at Monument Health Rapid City.
Diana Leveque was born on August 15, 1958 in Alliance, NE, to Ernst and Irma Gerlich and was the you ngest of three children. In October of 1966 her family moved to Deadwood, SD, where she attended school and graduated from Lead-Deadwood High School in 1976.
Diana spent several years making Black Hills Gold jewelry at Thorpes. She met Michael ‘Babe’ Leveque in 1982 and they married on June 24, 1985. They moved to Pennsylvania where they had their one and only daughter, Brittany before moving back to South Dakota and making Sturgis their home. They raised their daughter and made many lifelong friends. Diana took on the role of the bookkeeper for their family business and excelled in this role for over 20 years. Diana was an amazing wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend but her most significant roles were being a mother and grandmother. Diana was able to help care for both her grandchildren so they did not have to attend daycare until they both started preschool. She poured her heart and soul into her daughter Brittany, her two grandchildren, Seth and Tessa, and her “grandpuppy” Roxy. She also acted as a second mom and grandma to many. She had the biggest, most caring heart and would do anything for anyone
She is preceded in death by her mother, Irma Gerlich (2007) and father, Ernst Gerlich (2012).
She is survived by her husband, Michael Leveque of Sturgis, SD; daughter, Brittany (Leon) Paugh of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren, Seth and Tessa Paugh of Rapid City, SD; brother, Karl (Betty) Gerlich of Omaha, NE; sister, Regina Gerlich of St. Onge, SD; nephew, Travis (Sarah) Gerlich of Sturgis, SD; great nephew, Bryce Gerlich, and many other special nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Friday, October 6, 2:00 p.m., at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, SD. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
