Ann Leonard, age 82, of Ellsworth, Wis., died peacefully Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023 at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center after her courageous battle with cancer.
Ann was born Feb. 18, 1941, to Leland and Ione (Christenson) Christenson in Ellsworth Township, Wis. She graduated with the Class of 1958 from Ellsworth High School. After high school Ann worked at Ellsworth Farmers Union where she met Gaylen Leonard. They were married Sept. 3, 1960, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beldenville, where Ann was a lifelong member. They resided at their 40-acre hobby farm in ElIsworth Township and were blessed with three children: Tom, Laura and Jane. After their children were in school, Ann worked outside the home, always holding a position in customer service where she loved to meet new friends and help people. After retiring from Fairview Medical Clinic, she loved working as the secretary at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and most recently stocking shelves at Nilssen’s Grocery, always happy to assist shoppers find everything on their lists.
Ann loved her family, her grandsons and was thrilled when her first great granddaughter was born on her 80th birthday. She also loved her special friend, Eldon Hines and his family. Always the life of every party, Ann enjoyed spending time with family and many friends. She loved all things Wisconsin especially her beloved Packers, but also loved traveling with her family and Eldon to explore new areas. She covered the US traveling east to Brewers games and New York City, south to Nashville and several spots in Florida. Traveled west to Las Vegas and San Francisco, north to Seattle, even as far as Alaska. She loved singing in the church choir, immaculately decorating her house for every season and holiday (especially Christmas), playing Euchre and feeding and watching the birds.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Gaylen; son Tom; brother-in-law George Lantz and many in-law family members.
She is survived by two daughters: Laura (Sheldon) Johnson and Jane (Mike Nelson) Leonard; two grandsons: Reid Johnson and Mitch (Courtney) Johnson; two great grandchildren: Addelyn Mae and Kaelyn Jo; special friend Eldon Hines; sister Kay (Lemoine) Baker and twin sister Joan Lantz; brother-in-law Mike (Teri) Leonard; several sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Celebration of life service was held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beldenville, Wis,
Visitation was 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
Burial in Our Savior’s Cemetery, Beldenville.
Keehr Funeral Home, (www.keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
