Leah Alice Speerstra was born in Mondovi, Wis. to parents Seth and Irene (Domke) Speerstra on the 8th of August, 1952. Slightly over a year later, Leah was blessed with a younger sister and her best friend for life, Judith. Both Speerstra daughters were baptized by their grandfather, Rev. Edward E. Domke. During Leah’s early years, the young family relocated from Mondovi, Wis. to Superior, Wis., then to St. Paul, Minn., followed by Hudson, Wis., before finally establishing their home in River Falls, Wis. in 1962. This is when the family began their relationship with Freeman Drug. Seth and Irene were dedicated parents and unwavering supporters of their daughters’ aspirations. Given that Seth was a Pharmacist and Irene was a Medical Technologist, it was no surprise to anyone that Leah and Judy would both become remarkable contributors to the fields of Pharmacy and medicine during their careers.
During her childhood, she relished excursions to connect with her large family throughout Massachusetts, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. It’s said by those who knew her that from an early age Leah’s warmth and cheerful demeanor were captivating. Leah had close relationships with her grandparents, aunts and uncles. She frequently reminisced about her treasured moments with childhood friends and working as a teen at Freeman Drug alongside her father. Leah graduated from River Falls High School in 1970. Leah pursued her higher education at both the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. After obtaining the necessary licenses in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, she dedicated herself to her profession as a pharmacist.
Since the 1970s, Leah has devoted countless hours to sharing her expertise, knowledge, and enthusiasm with the community of River Falls and its neighboring regions including the Village Pharmacy in Baldwin, Crown Heart Pharmacy in Ellsworth, Micklesen Drug in Hudson, River Falls Pharmacy Services, River Falls Hospital Pharmacy, River Falls Ben Franklin Pharmacy, and, of course, Freeman Drug. Leah has been an owner of Freeman Drug since her father’s death in 2008. Due to the commitment of the pharmacists who preceded her, Leah has continued the legacy of Freeman Drug, which has been family-owned for more than 150 years. Anyone who knew Leah knew that she had an unwavering commitment to equitable healthcare access. She was an advocate for continued education, having authored many letters of recommendation for aspiring pharmacists. In collaboration with other members of the community, Leah dedicated her time to the establishment and ongoing support of the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix County. An example of Leah’s love for her community is evidenced in her leadership of the Freeman Drug team to obtain and administer COVID vaccinations when the world was still quarantined. Leah has a substantial list of accolades, including from the American Association of University Women as a ‘Role Model for Equity,’ and she was named River Falls Citizen of the Year on two occasions (2012 and 2021). Her family knows for certain that Leah’s impact on the community has been immeasurable.
It is no surprise that Leah’s professional gifts are only a fraction of who she was as a whole person. To Ronald Gavin, she has been his anchor, his partner and beloved bride. The two married on the 1st of July in 1972 in a wedding officiated by her grandfather, surrounded by their closest family and friends. The two built a life together that they cherished, sharing common interests and goals. Through each chapter of their 52 years together, Ron and Leah remained deeply in love. Having a family of her own was a dream of Leah’s, and she took on the role of mother with all her heart. Ron and Leah were blessed with two sons, first Benjamin in February 1978, and then Timothy in July 1980. Leah’s faith in God never wavered, and she was thrilled that her sons were both baptized by her grandfather, Rev. Edward E. Domke. Ron and Leah have been members of Ezekiel Lutheran Church for decades, where Leah served in many roles. If her sons were interested in something, Leah moved every obstacle to ensure they were given the chance to pursue their happiness and passions. The River Falls Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts knew the Gavin family well for many years, which will be cherished memories for her family. Leah and Ron were instrumental in both Ben and Tim achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, just as her father Seth did in his youth.
Ron and Leah took many trips to see relatives including the Domke’s, Speerstra’s, Gavin’s, and Kealy’s. Often, Leah and Ron found a way to carve out a connection to their family history as well as American history no matter the destination. A treasured retreat for Leah has been the canoe trip down the Namekagon River with family and friends. Many people can recall a time they saw Ron and Leah riding around River Falls in one of the multiple restored Model A’s automobiles. When at home, Ron and Leah are known as a safe spot to land. Thanks to the pool installed in the 1990’s, Ben and Tim can recall numerous summer days spent having friends over for shenanigans with Leah looking on with pride. No matter how long it had been since Leah had seen you, she greeted everyone with a hug and a smile.
There are three humans on this earth that have the honor of calling Leah by her most valuable title: Grandma. In 2009, Tim married the love of his life, Sarah (Johnson) Gavin. Together, Tim and Sarah have three children named Davis, Eloise, and Sylvia. Leah’s ultimate joy in life came about in those moments with her grandchildren. Whether reading them a book, doing a craft, baking a dessert, or teaching them life skills – Leah could not get enough. She was as invested in her grandchildren as she was as a mother: always there with love. The family will carry on many traditions that are rooted in Leah’s influence: the annual pumpkin carving night, Halloween trick or treating, building gingerbread houses, passing the Christmas stockings, and races in the swimming pool followed by eating corn on the cob on the deck. Leah found joy in showering her grandchildren with love, gifts of affection, encouragement, and family mottos, including “always save room for dessert.” She had great pride in the fact that her grandchildren are all baptized (wearing the family heirloom of a bonnet crocheted by her grandmother Amelia Domke) and know the love of Jesus Christ.
Leah died on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 surrounded by family at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. Her departure to Heaven was an echo of her lifetime here on earth. Those who love her will find comfort in the belief that she was greeted with the grandest welcome of family, friends, beloved pets, and thousands of kind souls she has blessed with her care. May Leah Gavin rest in peace and live on in our hearts for eternity.
Leah is survived by her adoring spouse, Ronald Gavin, sons Benjamin Gavin, and Timothy (Sarah) Gavin, sister Judith (Tom) Brosz, in-laws Nancy Gavin, Tom (Karen) Gavin, Jerry Gavin, Andrew Gavin, and Eugene “Gene” Gavin. Leah will live on in her grandchildren: Davis, Eloise and Sylvia. Leah will be missed by an extensive list of uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and her chosen family of Freeman Drug.
Leah is preceded in death by her father Seth, mother Irene, and infant siblings as well as her in-laws Joseph and Katherine Gavin, brother-in-law Daniel Gavin, sister-in-law Karen Gavin, and sister-in-law Diane Gavin.
All services for Leah Gavin will be held at Ezekiel Lutheran Church, including a visitation on from 4-8 p.m. Monday, May 5. Funeral services and ceremonies to celebrate the life of Leah Gavin are set for Tuesday, May 6, 2025 with a second visitation from 10 a.m. to noon and funeral service at noon. A luncheon will be held after the services. A private burial will be held at a later date for the immediate family.
Memorials preferred to the following organizations that meant something to Leah and her family: Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix County; Croix Valley Chordsmen; Ezekiel Lutheran Church Mission to Haiti; and Animal Ark Minnesota.
“May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
