Denise Mcmaster

HAMILTON - Denise McMaster, age 45, passed away peacefully on, July 8 in Missoula, Montana after a long and courageous battle with colon cancer.

Denise was born in Waukegan, Illinois on October 14, 1969 to Dennis and Betty Jo Leafblad. She graduated from Waukegan West High School in 1987 as a member of the rifle team and won all-state honors. After high school she attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota and earned an Associates of Art Degree in Education. Teaching children was a passion that continued throughout her life.

While at college she met and married the love of her life, Jerry McMaster, in
1991. It wasn't long before the family grew. Her daughter, Leslie, was born in 1994 and her son, Jacob, was born in 1997. Denise decided to be a homemaker then. She began to home school the kids, teaching them to cook and craft in the process. It brought her great joy to see her kids grow up.

In 2008, the family needed a change of scenery and moved to Hamilton, Montana. Once in Hamilton, Denise joined the family business as the co-owner of Affordable Floors of the Bitterroot. That was an experience that she thoroughly enjoyed and made many a life-long friend in the process.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Jo Leafblad, and is now reunited with her in heaven. Denise is survived by her husband, Jerry, of Hamilton; 2 children, Leslie and Jacob both of Hamilton; father, Dennis Leafblad of Wadsworth, IL; 2 sisters, Heidi (Steve) Habel of Gurnee, IL and Tracey (Phil) Roemer of Vion, IL; father and mother-in-law, Don and Carol McMaster of Darby, MT; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Denise's greatest passion was her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her one wish for all would be to make sure that you're prepared for Eternity.
You never know when God will call you home.