Leah Marie Strauser was born on February 17, 1976, in Poplar, Montana, to Monica Feather Earring and Roger Strauser. She grew up in Poplar, MT, and attended Poplar Schools in Poplar, MT. In 1992, Leah met Myron Red Dog and their son, Marques Lee Strauser was born in 1993. Despite dealing with her son Marques’ many health problems, Leah took advantage of the stay in school program for young mothers and graduated from Poplar High School in 1994. Leah loved her son Marques. He passed away at the age of 4 after his courageous battle with his various health conditions. Leah was devastated and chose to not have any more children.
Leah loved her nephews and nieces and they all loved her. Every time they would see her, they would all yell “AUNTIE LEAH!” and give her a hug. She was proud of all her nephews’ and nieces’ accomplishments and cherished receiving their pictures. Leah was always joking and laughing about something. She was a loving, caring person. She may not have had much yet she would help anyone who needed it. Leah always went out of her way to make sure her friends and their families were warm, fed, and taken care of. Because of her altruistic nature, Leah had many friends and often, her friends would stop by to check on her. She liked to throw darts and loved watching movies. She enjoyed sitting by the river and fishing with her cousin Angela Summers. She loved spending time with her family and visiting with her friends. Leah always wanted to play board and card games. No one would play with her. The only one who would give in and play cards with her for hours was her friend Tony DeMarrias. Leah was a Champion Frybread Maker. She was always ready to “heat up that oil” when someone asked her to make frybread. She was a cleaning machine. While working for Executive Cleaning in Billings, Leah was proud to be awarded “Cleaner of the Month.” She did such an awesome job, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) specifically requested Leah to clean their headquarters offices which was the entire fourth floor of the Transwestern Plaza, located in downtown Billings. Leah loved to travel. While on a trip to Reno, NV, Leah was responsible for her sister Michelle’s National 20 & 4 hospitality room. She met Legion family members from all over the U.S. and many have expressed their condolences and enjoyed having the chance to meet her.
Leah is preceded in death by her son Marques Strauser; sister Monique Strauser; father, Roger Strauser; grandparents Ray K. Eder, Alona Bighorn, Elsie King, Eunice Half Red, Edith Grey Bull, Reuben Feather Earring, William Strauser, Sr., and Margaret Hamilton; uncles Byron, Bryon, T.J., and Ronald Bauer, William, Strauser, Jr., Glen Strauser, Eric Red Bull, and special friend Myron Red Dog.
She is survived by her mother Monica (Feather Earring) LaRoque of Poplar; sisters Lisa and Mary Strauser of Billings, and Michelle Harada of Wolf Point; nephews Dakota Robinson, Logan Strauser, and Lance Sampson; nieces Jakilyn Harada, Joslynn Baker, and Cora and Cali Adams; uncles George, Carl, and Cary Eder of Poplar, Bruce Bauer of Wolf Point, Marty and Jeff Strauser of Poplar, and Ross Strauser of Kalispell; aunties Brenda Bauer of Wolf Point, Irene Bighorn of Poplar, Karen and Anna Eder and Rosella Wilson of Poplar, Kathy Eder of Billings, Rayola Eder of Palm Springs, CA, Sheryl Berger and Connie Young of Poplar, and Shelley Sears of Poplar; and the Summers, Falcon, Lambert, Grey Bull, Red Thunder, Owns-Pipe and Bauer Families. Leah was a descendent of Chiefs Feather Earring, Black Duck, and Iron Ring. We are sorry if any family members were not mentioned.
A wake is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Poplar Cultural Center. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family may be left using the form below.