Leann Gay Harrell

Leann Gay Harrell was born on December 17, 1945 in a hospital in Inglewood, a city southwest of downtown Los Angeles, California. Her father, James Robert Harrell was an engineer and worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, CA. Her mother Mabel May Tietjen Harrell was a hard working homemaker. Leann says she was a good cook, seamstress and enjoyed upholstering furniture. Her brother, Robert “Bob” James was 3 years older.

The family decided to move to Missouri in the early 1950’s and chose to buy some land in Texas County to raise cattle and to enjoy the slower pace of life in the country. Life was good growing up. They had horses, pigs, cows, dogs and cats. Her father loved the outdoors and they did also.

Bob and Leann attended the Licking Elementary through the 8 ^th grade and also their freshman and sophomore years at Licking. A drought caused the family to seek other employment so they moved to Warrenton, MO. Leann would finish high school and graduate in 1963. She liked learning and was an above average student. Her favorite subjects were Biology and English, and she excelled in both. Her favorite teachers were Mr. Rorhers and Miss Edna Pollster. Leann would attend Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, MO and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in 1968.

Leann first job was a summertime job as a waitress while working at Isabell’s in Warrenton. She made $1.00 per hour plus tips. With her father’s influence working at McDonald/Douglas in St. Louis, she was able to get a job, working in the parts department. She recalls it being a dirty job but a learning experience. She would eventually find a job in cancer research at the St. Louis Medical School.

While Leann was working at the Texas County Welfare Office, she met a gentleman and they dated less than a year. He was a teacher. In 1970, they decided to get married.. They would be separated a lot after he joined the U.S. Air Force. His basic training was in Illinois and he would be stationed in Oklahoma City, OK for 3 ½ years. Leann earned her Master’s Degree in Biology in 1976. They finally went their separate ways.

Leann loves the outdoors and being a biologist. She loves those things about nature like hiking, canoeing, camping and even horseback riding. She has an appreciation for southwestern pottery. She was a member of the “Wisdom Keepers”.

Leann moved to Manhattan, Kansas and worked for the United States Department of Agricultural Research services for 20 years. ARS is USDA’s principal in-house research agency and leads America towards a better future through agricultural research and information.

She would become a member of the Audubon Society and create a butterfly garden within a small park there. She also did prairie restoration for the commonly known “Prairie State”. She was a member of the Sierra Club and 4 friends made several field trips.

Leann has been on several adventure trips and has found them all educational, including camping in the Smoking Mountains and in Door County, Wisconsin. She has been to Victoria, Canada; England; Costa Rica; Mexico and was able to go visit Australia for a month.

Leann met somesone special later in life. His name was Norman Elledge and he loved the same things as she did. They decided to ‘tie the knot’ on June 18, 2011 at Montauk State Park. This Missouri State Park is located near Salem, MO on the beautiful Current River, famous for its rainbow trout and brown trout angling.

Leann’s favorite foods are Pasta and grilled chicken breast. Her favorite color is turquoise and she enjoys watching the Public Broadcasting Station (PBS). At one time, she owned a long-haired Siamese cat named “Six-Pence”.

An interesting story, Leann canoed a lot with author Dr. Oscar Hawksley, who wrote “Ozark Streams”.

Leann reminds us that “Life is a Gift”. Her advice is to “Be yourself. Know yourself and be true to yourself.”

Leann values life and all that is around her and lives life as full as she can. Norman is her late in life gift; she loves him most in her life.