Denise Lakeman

Denise K. Lakeman, 58, of Moorhead, MN, died Monday, September 7, 2015, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Denise Kay Geiszler was born January 28, 1957, the daughter of Loren and Helen (Tinjum) Geiszler, in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School. Shortly after high school she married her high school sweetheart, Don Leiseth, and together they had two children. She later married Dan Lakeman and they moved to Borup, MN, adding two more children to their family.

Denise attended North Dakota State University, in Fargo, graduating with honors in 1986, with a BS in Nutrition. Her continuing education was undertaken while raising three children with the fourth on the way. Denise accepted a position with Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency (SENDCAA) in 1989, working there her entire career retiring on July 4, 2014. She was awarded a twenty-five year anniversary award. Denise truly enjoyed her job and her vibrant personality was evident in her relationships with all her accounts over the years. She was active in coaching, speaking, and innovations with the Food Program for the State of North Dakota and at National Conferences.

When diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, she remained dedicated to her work, taking only time out for treatments. Through it all she remained brave, steady, passionate and loving, even thinking she needed laundry detergent at home up until the last minutes of her life.

Denise was passionate about reading, gardening, trips to the beach, vacations and the lake cabin. Denise was also a beautiful pianist and played the organ at Winchester Lutheran Church for many years.

She leaves behind, her parents, Loren and Helen Geiszler; husband, Daniel; children, Jaime Kern, Matt Leiseth, Amanda (Dane Peterson) Lakeman, and Michael Lakeman; grandchildren, Alexandra Leiseth, Lauren Kern, Jaden Hodges, Jayden and Adison Peterson; brother, David (Marilyn) Geiszler; godparents, Roman and Darby Geiszler; as well as several nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Keith Geiszler.

A Visitation for Denise will be Thursday from 5 PM until 7 PM with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead.

Her Memorial Service will be Friday, September 11, 2015, at 10 AM in Our Savor's Lutheran Church.

Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead at a later date. A portion of her cremated body will be scattered in the ocean that she so dearly loved.


(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead)