Leta Grogan

Leta Jewel Grogan, age 86, passed away on October 10, 2018 at Pioneer Care and Rehab in Dillon. She was born Feb 27, 1932 to John and Alpha Abbott Wright in Eldon, Missouri. Leta was a compassionate, hardworking, caring person. Her youth years were spent in Eldon and the family later moved to Kansas City, Kansas. She graduated from Argentine High School in Kansas City. She was very involved in school, achieving good grades while being involved in journalism and Beta Sigma PHI Sorority. After graduating, she worked at Ralph Atkisson Studios, then worked as a secretary, then married the love of her life, Harold F. Grogan. They moved to Southern California, then to Tacoma, Washington when Harold was called back into service. In 1963, they moved to Dillon, Montana. They lived on the Christiansen Ranch where she cooked for the crews and helped in the lambing shed. Leta and Harold also had milk cows and chickens. After moving closer to town, she worked at JC Penny, then later they purchased the Montgomery Ward Catalog Agency. When Montgomery Ward closed its catalog division, they opened a tourist gift shop naming it Dillon Discount Depot, the customers then nicknamed it 3D. The store quickly expanded into a variety store selling Montana Made products, shoes, clothing, toys, nick knacks, jewelry, printed shirts, or anything else she could sell. She was President of Soroptimist International of Dillon, member of Dillon JayCee Auxillary and was involved in the local Chamber of Commerce. Leta retired Dillon Discount Depot in 1994, then traveled with Harold in their motor homes visiting friends and family around the country. She began working summers in the visitor center at Bannack. Both Leta and Harold enjoyed spending part of their retirement time volunteering at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. Leta enjoyed visiting with tourists from all over the world and was especially proud when grandkids came to the park. Leta enjoyed cooking for guests for meals and could cook for a crowd in Wright family style. People who did not have any place to go for Thanksgiving or Holidays were always welcome. Even while working at various jobs, she still took time for cooking and canning and passed those skills along to the next generation. She also was a skilled quilter and enjoyed crocheting as well. Harold and Leta were so proud of their commitment to Bannack that they held their 50th Wedding Anniversary Vow renewal ceremony at the park, during Bannack Days. They turned their Elk Horn cabin into a home, hosting friends and family who could take the time to come visit. She was preceded death by her husband Harold and parents John and Alpha Wright, Sister Rosalie Bradford and Brother John Wright JR. She is survived her Sisters Aliene Currence, Glena Ewing and Beverly Cobb, and sons Mitch Sr. Grogan, Mike Grogan (Barbara), Harold Lee Grogan (Joan), Darrell Grogan (Steffani), Daniel Grogan (Roxy) and daughter Dorothea Kay Grogan, along with 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grand child. Memorials may be sent to The Bannack Association, P.O. Box 1426, Dillon, MT 59725.