Frances M. Leeper

Frances Mary (Wechter/Hurak) Leeper, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family on March 11, 2024. She was born on January 14, 1949, in Huron, Ohio, to Frank and Mary Grace Wechter.

Fran graduated from Huron High School in 1967, and soon after discovered her passion for cake decorating. She embarked on a fulfilling career, co-owning and operating Tiffany's Bakery in the mall and later founding The House of Donuts - Cakes by Fran, where she shared her creative talents with the community for over two decades. In 2000, she became the bakery manager at Bassett's IGA in Marblehead, where she met her second husband, Grant. They were married in 2004 and spent nine happy years in Marblehead before returning to Huron.

Outside of her professional life, Fran found joy in gardening and was an active member of her parish family at St. Peter Catholic Church in Huron. Her dedication and service to the church were recognized when she was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2016 by the Knights of Columbus for her contributions to St. Peter and its programs.

Besides her parents, Fran was preceded in death by her sisters, Terese Barret and Margaret Crump; three brothers-in-law, Roger Fichter, George Reffitt Sr., and Dennis Carlstedt; niece and nephew, Amy Lizzi and Matt Reffitt; her first husband and father of her children, Roderick Hurak; as well as various other relatives.

Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy of love are her husband, Grant H. Leeper; her children, Lisa (Richard) DeVerna and Chad Hurak; her grandchildren, Ashleigh and Zach (Samantha) DeVerna; great-granddaughter, Hazel DeVerna; sisters, Ruth Fichter and Sr. Angela Hibbard IHM; sisters-in-law, Maxine, Frankie, and Susie; stepchildren, Lara Weber and Chris (Heather) Leeper; step-grandchildren, Brandon Alexander, Caleb Weber, and Zachary and Jadyn Leeper; special cousin, Pat Pepitone; best friend of 60+ years, Rosemary Ellis; and a host of other cherished relatives and friends.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Stein Hospice for their compassionate care during the last year and a half of Fran's life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (230 E. Ohio St. Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611), Huron Rescue Squad (417 Main St., Huron 44839), St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Peter Catholic Church (430 Main St., Huron 44839), or Stein Hospice (1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870). 

Fran's final gift of love was to donate her body to the Ohio University Medical College of Ohio.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10 AM - 12 PM at Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, 410 Main St., Huron 44839, followed immediately by a Mass at St. Peter Catholic Church. 

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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