Aaron Lewis Leppin

Aaron Leppin, age 36, passed away on November 3, 2021, in his home in Rochester, MN, after years of chronic medical challenges. Upon leaving his earthly home, Aaron received his crown of life and heard the Lord tell him, "Well done, good and faithful servant." He left this world in his wife's arms, surrounded by family. Aaron, the oldest child of Steve and Tammy Leppin, grew up in the small north Missouri town of Milan. He learned the value of integrity, hard work, and love of family at an early age by watching and benefiting from the behavior of his parents, who owned and grew the local lumber yard and hardware store. Aaron was instilled with Christian values as a youth and enjoyed a happy, small-town childhood peppered with school and church activities, garage band antics, and sibling shenanigans. Aaron was gifted academically. He left Milan in 2003 to study biology and medicine at the University of Missouri. He always looked back on his eight years in Columbia fondly and as a transformational time of growth in self-awareness, spiritual identity, wisdom, and maturity. He was influenced profoundly by his interactions with the Christian Campus House Ministry and by the opportunity it afforded him to see peers fully living their lives in accordance with Scripture. In 2010, Aaron began to get recruited by top medical residency programs. Simultaneously, Aaron began courting the love of his life, Beth Duff. Aaron was accepted to the Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine program and then immediately diagnosed with leukemia. Beth followed Aaron to Rochester regardless. The two were married on May 19, 2012, soon after Aaron's bone marrow transplant. The final decade of Aaron's life was defined by his and Beth's relationship in Rochester, MN, and their interactions with church friends and work colleagues. Aaron and Beth enjoyed traveling, hiking, reading, relaxing on the couch, and serving others, especially those on the margins. Aaron and Beth enjoyed a crash course in parenting during a brief period as foster parents. Late in life, Aaron took up woodworking and enjoyed home improvement projects around their much-loved 1910 home. Aaron was actively engaged in the life of Christ Community Church, including participating in the children's ministry, singing with the worship team, leading life groups, and serving on the elder board. Aaron and Beth found incredible joy and community in their church small group. The couple were best friends and loved one another deeply. Aaron is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Elizabeth Leppin, of Rochester, MN; Parents, Steve and Tammy Leppin of Milan, MO; siblings Miranda (Dustin) Carls of Wentzville, MO. and Derek (Shelby) Leppin of Kirksville, MO; nieces, Ann and Hannah Leppin; nephews, Judah, Hayden, Landen and Tobias Leppin and Riker, Brevin and Garon Carls; his father-in-law John Duff; mother-in-law Judy Dasovich, and brother-in-law (Michael Duff) (In-laws all of Springfield, MO) as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Aaron is proceeded in death by his grandparents, Tom and Ruby Lewis and Marvin and Marilee Leppin. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 19, 2021 at Christ Community Church, 4400 55th St. NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held from 2:30 p.m. until time of the service. We kindly ask all attenders to wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be directed to organizations of significance to Aaron and Beth. These include Arrive Ministries, Next Chapter Ministries, Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, Christ Community Church's mission fund, or the Jeremiah Program (all of Rochester, MN). The family would like to thank everyone who has provided an incredible amount of support as they walked through the end of Aaron's life. "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12) Memorial service live stream: https://youtu.be/h4FfLRfDTds Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Leppin family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com