Marian J. "Mitzi" Leeson-Hood, age 83, a long-time resident of Elwood, died Sunday, April 29, 2012 at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood after an extended illness. She was born May 27, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the daughter of Fred J. and Anna Marie (Ahrens) Ludtke. She was a 1946 graduate of Broad Ripple High School and attended Butler University in Indianapolis. She worked as Registrar for the Admissions Office at Butler University. Mitzi married David King Leeson May 21, 1950, and he died February 25, 1971. She later married Charles F. "Chuck" Hood on February 27, 1982, and he died July 12, 2008. Mitzi was the Assistant Manager of R.L. Leeson and Sons department store in Elwood and was also the Manager of the dry goods department of the store until she retired in 1984. She later worked as the Secretary to the Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Elwood for over 10 years where she was also a devoted member of the church. She was an active member of the Elwood community and had volunteered more than 2000 hours at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital. She was also a member of the Elwood Lady Elks, Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Delta Gamma Sorority, Landon Guild of St. Vincent Mercy Hospital, the Elwood VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, playing Bridge, visiting casinos, and bowling.

Survivors include: 5 Children, Tim (wife Penny) Leeson of Indianapolis, Jon (wife Karen) Leeson of Elwood, Becky Hibst of Elwood, Matthew (wife Melanie) Leeson of Elwood, Andrew (wife Tracey) Leeson of Elwood; Step-children, David C. (wife Kathy) Hood of Indianapolis, Jenny (husband Steve) Wilson of Newport, MI, Max Hood of Indianapolis, and Christy (husband Al) Gaskill of Hollis, New Hampshire; former Son-in-law Tim Hibst of Elwood; 14 Grandchildren, Ashley Leeson, Lindsay Leeson, Kyle Hibst, Kacie Johns, Kirsten Hibst, Nikki Stansberry, Ricky Stansberry, David Leeson, Nicholas Leeson, Hillary Leeson, Erin Leeson, Robert Locke, Lora Gaskill, and Sarah Gaskill; 11 Great-grandchildren; Sydney Wilson, Breona Wilson, Mya Johns, Brayden Leeson, Logan Keith, Andrew Leeson, Mackenzie Oyler, Ava Davis, Ezra Mae Davis, Chloe Woodard, and Grayson Hibst.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, David K. Leeson, and her second husband, Charles F. "Chuck" Hood.

Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, May 4, 2012 at11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church in Elwood with Rev. Jeff Iacobazzi officiating. Burial will follow at the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation will be held 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood, and also one hour prior to the funeral Friday at St. John Lutheran Church. There will be a Delta Theta Tau memorial service conducted at 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the funeral home followed by a St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Volunteer memorial service at 7:15 PM. Memorial contributions are requested to the St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation or Landon Guild through the funeral home. Online condolences to the Leeson-Hood family may be made at: www.copherfeslermay.com.