Leland Ernest Risa was born in Scobey, Montana on December 14, 1950, to Albin and Dorothy (Walters) Risa. He died Sunday, October 29, 2023, at FMDH after a brief battle with cancer. Lee was baptized and confirmed at the 1 st Lutheran Church in Opheim.
Lee grew up on the family farm in Opheim, he graduated from Opheim High School in 1969 and then Montana State University-Bozeman in 1974 with a degree in Ag Production and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Following graduation, he returned to Opheim and owned and operated, with Dorothy and stepfather, Theron, Northern Lites Ranch, Inc. In later years he continued with his wife and son.
He married Terry Ackerman on June 16, 1978. They welcomed twin daughters, Kari and Kristy in 1981, and, a son, Bryce in 1984. He followed his children’s activities in school and 4-H. He cheered on his children, grandchildren, and the children of his friends. Lee continued to farm and ranch with his wife and son.
Lee was involved in many organizations in the Opheim community and in Valley County. He served as president of the Opheim Community Club, served as a board member on the Farmers Union Oil of Opheim, PRO COOP of Opheim, Northern Electric Cooperative of Opheim, and NorVal Electric Cooperative. He also served as a steer barn superintendent at the Northeast Montana Fair. In 2022 he was awarded the Commercial Producer of the Year award from the American Red Angus Association.
He is survived by his wife, Terry, of 45 years; his son, Bryce of Opheim, his daughters, Kari (Cowboy) Murch of Glasgow, and Kristy (James) Miller of Taylor, North Dakota; grandchildren: Rhett Murch of Glasgow, Collin Grage of Timber Lake, South Dakota, Callie and Karstin Grage of Taylor, North Dakota, and Kaisen and Brysen Miller of Taylor, North Dakota. Lee is also survived by his brother Brian (Diana) Risa of Blackfoot, Idaho, their children, Jessica and Travis and their families, and mother-in-law, Arleen Hughes, of Kalispell, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Albin Risa, Dorothy Risa, Theron Risa, nephew Tyler Risa, father-in-law Ted Ackerman, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Family will receive friends at the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow, Montana on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023, at Opheim Community Church in Opheim, Montana with Pastor Scott Kiehn officiating. Burial will take place in Lawndale Cemetery in Opheim and a reception will follow back at the church. Memorial may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.