BOONE/AREA CONNECTED DEATHS

       Curtis "Curt" Leaverton, 61, Urbandale passed away unexpectedly in July due to a tragic accident. While training on his bicycle for the Colorado 500, a charity offroad motocycycle ride, he was killed when a tree fell on him. We've learned that Curt had some Boone connections. Curt's dad, Robert Leaverton, was born in Boone. BHS-48. Curt's mother, Phyliss Landals Leaverton was born in Fraser. Pilot Mound HS-51. Robert attended Boone Junior College. The Leaverton's were married in Boone in 1957. They eventually settled in Urbandale. Both are deceased. Curt was born and raised in Urbandale. He had deep love for motorcycles and built a career in the powersports industry that would reach across the world. Survivors include Evelina Chen, two stepsons and a brother. A private service will be held in West Des Moines.   

       Marcia Bohlen Silha, 82, Austin, Tx. Victim of a house fire. BHS-61. University of South Dakota-65 in the education field. Earned M.S. degrees in counseling, administration, and special education at other universities. She worked in Iowa, North Carolina, Illinois and Texas as a teacher, school principal, counselor and school director. Married Edward Silha in 2003. The couple enjoyed traveling to Japan, China, India and Ireland. They also volunteered together and Marcia was always ready to help anyone in need, capable, wise, loving and generous. She enjoyed dancing, sailing, racquetball, cooking and gardening, was a volunteer at South Park Nursing Home, with Habitat for Humanity and a docent at the Lady Byrd Johnson Wildflower center. Survivors include her husband, Edward, and a son, Joe. 

       Denny L. "Muley" Berry, 76, Boone. Born in Webster City. WCHS-67. Lincoln Tech for small engine repair. Denny owned a car repair shop in Woolstock for a time. He enjoyed dirt track racing and Harley motorcycles. After beating cancer, he left Minnesota and moved to Boone and was working for D and J tree service. Survivors include a son, two step-daughters, two sisters and two brothers. An uncle, Ben Franklin, of Boone also survives. A private inurnment will be held in Stratford with a COL at a later date.