Leah Allert

Leah Marie Allert, 75 of Byron, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2017 surrounded by family at her home. Leah took her love and interest of horses to become a lifelong horsewoman. She encouraged and developed countless riders and horses over her 56 year career as a riding instructor. Leah graciously shared her knowledge and wisdom on improving the human/equine partnership, and to this, the horses send their thanks. Leah was born April 29, 1941 in Washburn, North Dakota to Z.D. Cutter and Anne (Mihm) Cutter. Leah grew up in Medicine Lake, Minnesota. After graduating from Renville High School in Renville, Minnesota, she asked her father to take her to the Twin Cities so that she could begin her career working with horses. In those days few women were working full-time in the horse industry. She started working under Frank and Marie Long at the North Oaks Riding Club and then later at Longs farm; Merry Wood Farm in Forest Lake, Minnesota. There Leah trained horses and gave riding lessons. In 1965-67 Leah joined the Peace Corps and lived in San Borja, Bolivia. She loved her time in the Peace Corps. In 1967, upon returning to the United States, Leah moved to Rochester, Minnesota and was the barn manager and riding instructor of Meadow Lane Stable. During that same year, Leah began The Paddock School of Horsemanship, where she was the owner, manager and riding instructor for the next 56 years. Leah has worked with hundreds of horses and taught thousands of people how to ride. She taught the Horsemanship Program for the Rochester Community College for 21 years. Many stable owners, barn managers and riding instructors in the Rochester area started by taking riding lessons with Leah. Leah was also the superintendent of the Olmsted County Fair English Horse Show for 50 years. On November 3, 1979 Leah married Tom Allert and they had one child, Aynsley. Leah loved to travel. She traveled through the United States, Canada, South America, Mexico, Caribbean, England, Egypt, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. She loved to visit with people from other cultures while traveling or by inviting them into her home. Leah enjoyed playing her saxophone in the Rochester Big Band, and she was an avid reader. Leah is survived by her husband of 38 years, Tom; daughter Aynsley; brother Garry (Mary Ann) Cutter, Hartselle, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. Leah was preceded in death by her parents, Z.D. and Anne Cutter. A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Evangel United Methodist Church, 2645 North Broadway Avenue. A visitation will be held from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are being handled by Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 (507) 289-3600 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com