Lynda L. Leiferman

Lynda “Lyn” Leiferman, 76, of Mapleton, died peacefully at home on March 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Lyn was born in Mankato on March 2, 1950, to William and Louise (Guenther) Birr and grew up in Mapleton, graduating from Mapleton High School with the class of 1968. Lyn married Lee Leiferman at the United Church of Mapleton on August 1, 1969, and made their home on the Birr family farm west of Mapleton, where they raised their two children.

After completing several courses at Mankato State, Lyn worked for a time at Good Thunder School – as an aid to students requiring special care, as well as in the school library. She spent the majority of her life working with the family business – L.L. Baling and Maple River Welding.

Family and friends were most important to Lyn, and they are where she chose to invest her time, love, and energy. Whether it was activities at her lifelong church (United Church of Mapleton), or raising animals on the family farm, hunting for deer and pheasants, or hiking for mushrooms and walnuts, Lyn was always up for an adventure. Her many endeavors and adventures created intriguing stories that she’d use to captivate the imaginations of her family members, especially her grandchildren. Some of the happiest memories on the farm were of the many creatures that Lyn and her family adopted, raised, and returned to the wild: including raccoons, squirrels, even a couple red-tailed hawks. She had a large flock of chickens and nearly everyone who knew Lyn received one of her special chicken eggs. Each chicken, and each egg, always received its own name.

Raising, riding, and showing horses was an important part of Lyn’s life. Her “heart horse” Morgan was her pride and joy. Lyn and Lee enjoyed riding in the Dakotas and out west, and were members and leaders of the Lake Crystal Saddle Club for many years. Their annual Fourth of July party for customers and friends was always the event of the season. Other hobbies Lyn enjoyed included painting, drawing, barn quilts, and photography. Her love of life and all God’s creation will be remembered fondly by her family, and the traditions she began will be carried on by those who love and miss her.

Lynda is survived by her husband, Leon “Lee” Leiferman; son, Lance Leiferman; daughter, Leslie (Brad) Bair; step-daughter, Kathleen Tiede; grandchildren, Sarah (Mitch) Nagele, Alycia (Randy) Depuydt; Tristyn, Mataya, and Shaylee Bair; and Ava, Mia, Ike and Max Tiede; great-granddaughter, Mia; sister-in-law, Ida Birr; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She’s further survived by her beloved furry companions, Sasha, Bair, Pippy and W.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Con, Warren “Tex” and Larry.

A funeral service for Lyn will be held at UNITED CHURCH OF MAPLETON, 201 Troendle St SW, Mapleton, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. A graveside service will follow at Sterling Cemetery in Mapleton. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Memorials to the family are appreciated. Lyn’s family also encourages you to give an unexpected gift to someone in memory of Lyn’s generosity.