Agnes Leys

Agnes Leys passed away on June 25, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Agnes was the second child of Jerome and Maggie Monroe, born April 3, 1930, in Williams, MT. Agnes attended school in Williams until the eighth grade and then graduated from Valier High School. Faith was always a strong part of her life. She attended the Belgian Church during her youth. She moved to Conrad and worked for the Farm Services Agency for eleven years. She met William Leys in the winter of 1958, and they were married in 1959. They spent the following year in California, and when they returned home, they worked together on a farm north of Cut Bank. In 1961, Bill and Agnes moved and built a farm and a family together north of Choteau. Agnes worked alongside Bill in the field. When she was driving the tractor, she would have a baby sleeping on the floor. Agnes and William spent more than 60 years devoted to each other. Their marriage was the ultimate example of devotion and love. Some of her favorite things to do when her children were little was to go camping, watch them play sports, and go to school events. Her grandchildren knew Grandma baked fresh bread every Monday and there were always cookies in the freezer. Over the course of her 60 years of baking fresh bread for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she made more than 25,370 loaves of bread. Many of those were consumed as Saturday morning French toast or a peanut butter and honey sandwich by a happy kid after school. Agnes was an active member of St. Joseph’s parish in Choteau, the Red Hat Society, Legion Auxiliary, and the VFW Auxiliary. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting. Agnes was an avid gardener and loved to tend to her yard and flowers. She was such a perfectionist about her lawn that she continued to mow up until the time of her passing. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Harry. She is survived by her husband, William Leys; three children, all of Choteau, Michael (Devra Harris) Leys, Sheri (Kaare) Wilkerson, and Douglas (Tammy Matthews) Leys; grandchildren, Kailyn Rowe, Taylor Rowe, Kristi (Keelan) Wilson, Aaron (Tiffani) Leys, and Kelly (Megan) Leys; great-grandchildren, Kieth Wilson, Kortni Wilson, Ceanna Leys, Justin Passmore, Roper Leys, and Harper McSherry; brothers, Bob, Vern, and Dick; and sister, Alice. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Choteau, MT, or to the organization of your choice.