Leigh Lussie

Leigh Lussie, 75, of Windsor Heights, passed away peacefully, full of grace and courage, on Monday, April 26, 2021 at the EveryStep Kavanaugh House in Des Moines. Leigh was born on March 4, 1946 to Arthur Jr. and Marjorie Holm in Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, graduating in 1964, and received both her teaching degree and her Masters in counseling from Drake University. Leigh began her professional career as an upper grade English teacher at Lincoln High from 1969 to 1987. Leigh then became a counselor at North High School and guided her students through each grade toward graduation. Her connection with each student helped them navigate through high school and beyond. Many of those connections were with her throughout her life. Her compassion and contagious laugh endeared her to her students and staff. Outside of teaching and counseling, Leigh was an artist. She was a prolific quilter. As a longtime member of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild, Leigh had served as its president and quilt show co-chair. She was a member of the “Laundry Basket” applique group as well as a member of the “Bitsy Chicks” miniature quilt group. An excellent appliquer, Leigh often taught classes and made presentations throughout central Iowa. From 1992 to 2018, Leigh won over 30 blue ribbons for her quilts at the Iowa State Fair and nearly 20 in the annual DMAQG shows. She also won multiple ”Best of Show” ribbons and was honored several times for winning the most blue ribbons at the Fair. Leigh was also a member of the American Quilter’s Society and her quilts were featured in several national shows and publications. Leigh was an avid antique collector, and a member of the Questers Guild. She loved thimbles, sewing memorabilia, early American folk art, antique rocking horses, decoys, and game boards. Leigh’s life was overflowing with wonderful friends from quilting, questering, book clubs, teaching, counseling, childhood and TRHS classmates, and traveling the world. Leigh was truly adored and both a blessing and an inspiration to all that knew and loved her so dearly. Leigh was preceded in death by her husband, Rick Lussie; parents, Arthur Holm Jr. and Marjorie Armstrong, Aunts Maxine and Marilyn, and her grandparents Carl and Ruth Mussetter, and Arthur and Irene Holm. She is survived by her brother, Rick (Julie) Holm; nephews, Jeremy Holm, Jason (Charlotte) Holm, and Max (Mijoe Sahiouni) Holm; cousins Lisa Johnston, Charlie Card, Bob Card, and Jim Card, and four grandchildren of her brother Rick. Hayden, Graham, Evie, and Carter. A celebration of life will be scheduled in the coming months. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com