1955-2008

Mary M. Hockel’s Obituary Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Mary Margaret (Leeder) Hockel passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2008. She was born Oct. 9, 1955, in Madison, Wis. After graduating from Minnetonka High School, Mary’s adventurous spirit led her abroad across Europe, South America where she served in the Peace Corps in Honduras, and Africa, to name a few.

After graduating from The University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in education, she moved to Bozeman and began teaching at Manhattan School in 1986 where she continued to brighten lives for 19 years.

She married Mike Hockel on July 29, 1989, and gained two daughters, Stephanie Borash and Suzie Hockel. Her family later grew to include a son-in-law, Craig Borash, and two grandchildren, Andrew and Paul Borash.

Students, parents and fellow teachers were drawn to her gift of sharing knowledge and inspiring others. Mary continued her education and earned her master’s of education in elementary curriculum and instruction at Montana State University in 1996.

She is preceded in death by her father, Don Leeder.

She is survived by husband, Mike; daughters, Stephanie (Craig) Borash and Suzie Hockel; grandchildren, Andrew and Paul Borash; her sister, Anne Swanson of Cokato, Minn., her mother, Peggy Leeder of Gilbert, Ariz.; brother, Todd Leeder of Gilbert, Ariz.; as well as nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Dokken Nelson Sunset Chapel.