KATHLEEN ROSE LEIS
KATHLEEN ROSE LEIS
Kathleen Rose Leis of Alma Center passed away peacefully surrounded by family Monday, Oct. 21, at the age of 68 in La Crosse after a long battle with cancer.
Kathy was born Jan. 2, 1956, in Neillsville, WI, to Francis and Rose Michels (nèe Lastofka). She was raised on a dairy farm in Alma Center; she graduated from Lincoln High School in 1974. From there, Kathy went on to get a degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, later going back to school to get a master’s degree in administration from Winona State University.
Kathy worked as a waitress at Club 95 in Hixton while she was attending college, and it was there that she would meet the love of her life, Bill, who played for the Club 95 fastpitch team, and the two started dating. The couple was married in 1976 and remained so until Bill’s death in November of 2021. During their 45 years of marriage, the couple raised four children and became grandparents to three.
Kathy worked in education for more than 30 years, mostly as a business education teacher in the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District. She retired from teaching in 2013.
Outside of teaching, Kathy devoted much of her time to being a loving and devoted wife, mother and “Nana.” She loved to be with her family. Many of the early years were spent traveling to the kids’ sporting events - rarely, if ever, missing a game. As the kids got older, Kathy and Bill were able to transition into a more relaxing life that included traveling, golfing and adding the title of grandparents. Kathy loved to spend time at the family cabins, first in Hatfield and then on Lake Holcombe. Other passions of hers included gardening, quilting and card playing. She was active in groups like 4-H and Homemakers and was very involved at church - often singing and playing the piano during Mass.
Kathy is survived by her children Jennifer of Eagle River, Megan (Michael) Stary of Osseo, Ryan (Lynzi) of New Richmond, and Timothy of Eau Claire; grandchildren Deklan and Lakyn (Megan and Michael), and William (Ryan and Lynzi); and sisters JoAnn (Dave) Schmidt of New Richmond, Barbara of Eau Claire and Carol (Steve) Dorn of Prescott.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and parents Francis and Rose.
The visitation for Kathy will be Sunday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton. Funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Alma Center with an hour visitation prior to the service.
Kathy did love plants and flowers, so those are welcome, but please consider in lieu of those things making a donation to the Bill Leis Memorial Scholarship Fund - donations can be sent to Megan Stary at P.O. Box 87 Alma Center, WI 54611.
The Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton is assisting the family.