Benjamin David Leib

Benjamin David Leib was born on January 31, 1954 in Los Angeles, California.  He passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 11, 2020 after a hard two-month battle with liver cancer.  He graduated from Downey High School in Modesto, California, where he discovered his love of ballroom dancing.  During this time, he competed twice in the Ballroom Dancing World Championships, once in Blackpool, England, winning 1^st place (the 1^st time World Champions for the United States), and competed again the following year in New York City, New York.  Ben achieved his Eagle Scout award and his Duty to God award in scouting.  Subsequently, he happily served the people of Buenos Aires, Argentina throughout his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Following Ben’s mission, he was a student at BYU, specifically part of the BYU Ballroom Dance Team, where he met his sweetheart and wife, Laurie Jacobsen.  Ben and Laurie married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity on September 17, 1976.  They are both devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and have held numerous callings.  Ben was always serving others whenever he could, including cooking meals at the ward camps, Christmas parties, teaching dance, etc.  He was known as a peacemaker in every situation and was the perfect example to all.  Everyone who met Ben loved him and left with a smile on their face and a forever friend.

Ben worked for 39 years at Sara Lee Bakery/Metz Baking Company, and retired 2 years ago.  He loved his coworkers and maintained a number of friendships from work even following his retirement.  Ben also worked as a tax accountant and became known as the “Bun and Tax Man” to a number of people in the community.

Ben and Laurie loved traveling and attended temples together all over the world.  He was always planning the next vacation with his children, their spouses and grandchildren.  Ben and Laurie have been on countless cruises with their friends and family.  He was known by friends and family as their “travel agent” because he always organized the most amazing excursions for all to enjoy.

The most important thing in Ben’s life was his family.  Ben was incredibly supportive of his kids and grandkids.  In fact, since retiring, his grandkids consumed the majority of his time.  He attended every sports game, every tournament and every performance of his 11 ½ grandchildren.  He picked some of them up from school, and babysat whenever needed, becoming a constant presence in his children and grandchildren’s lives.  His children have considered it a privilege to return the favor in helping take care of him during this last period of his life.

Ben and Laurie have 4 children and 11 ½ grandchildren:  Andrea and Rich Riddle (2 children), Stephanie and Benjamin Vincent (2 children), Brandon Leib and Steffany Briscoe (5 children), and Mike and Kami Leib (2 ½ children).  Also survived by his mother, Rosemary and Dave Crose, mother in law, Norma Jacobsen, brother Terry and Patty Leib and sister Gaylin and Jerry Grant, and many nieces and nephews.

A family graveside service will be held at the Centerville City Cemetery in Centerville, Utah at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18^th, 2020.  Services will be live streamed on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/russonmortuary.

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