Deanna Elaine Leittl

MISSOULA ~ Deanna E Leittl (Dee), age 85, of Missoula, Montana, found her journey to peace surrounded by family on December 9, 2025 leaving her wheelchair, pain and her other health conditions behind.

Deanna was born on December 19, 1939, in Milwaukee, WI, to Ruben and Beatrice Norton. She was married in1958 to Robert Comstock and together they had two children, Michelle and Jacqueline. Divorced in 1961. Deanna then remarried Leo Leittl. In this union Deanna had two children, Kevin and Jodine.

Dee, as she liked to be known, was a devoted full-time homemaker for many of her early years; lovingly raising her four children. Afterwards, having a deep-lasting sense of accomplishment in the successful adults her children became.

Her heart, however, belonged to small dogs, especially Lhasa Apsos. Dee took great pride in her work as a professional dog handler and breeder, patiently training, conditioning and showing her beloved Lhasas at dog shows throughout the Northwest. Many of her dogs earned points, major wins, and ultimately championship titles. Accomplishments that brought her immense joy and satisfaction.

Guided by her deep love for dogs and needing a way to feed them, Dee later opened a retail dog food business to support both herself and her growing kennel, which at one point was home to more than 45 dogs. She believed passionately that dogs deserved the very best care and nutrition. She was proud to offer only premium products which she felt every conscientious pet owner should choose to purchase. To Dee, her animals—both dogs and cats—were never just pets, but treasured members of the family.

Beyond her devotion to animals, Dee was a gifted artist whose creativity extended beyond ceramics to painting beautiful landscapes, needle point, knitting and cross stitch. Her artistic work reflected her careful attention to detail, vibrant use of color, and joyful creative spirit. She found special delight in crafting what many considered the world’s best Christmas ceramic tree ornaments, a labor of love that celebrated her favorite holiday and brought delight to all who received them.

Dee also loved tending her greenhouse, where she joyfully started garden plants and grew vegetables she generously shared with family and friends, another expression of her nurturing heart and love of beauty and nature.

She is survived by her children, Michelle Milam of Frenchtown, Jackie Henderson of Missoula, Kevin Leittl of Lolo, and Jodine Tarbert of Missoula; seven grandchildren, Jacob Fagg of Austin Texas, Jennifer Appelman of Steamboat Springs Colorado, Justin Henderson of Missoula, Lisa Henry of Missoula, Matt Leittl of Lolo, Michael Tarbert of Long Beach California, and Danielle Tarbert of Missoula; three great grandchildren, Westin and Levi Fagg of Austin Texas, Uni Tarbert of Missoula and her brother, Rube Norton of Kansas City Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Denny, Sid, Duke, sister Sandra and granddaughter Heather.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Sunset Memorial, Missoula, Montana. Interment will be private ceremony for family members. Memorials in Dee’s honor may be made to the Missoula Human Society.