Barbara Ann Leslie

March 20, 1928-March 29, 2025

Barbara Crown Leslie, 97 died peacefully at her home in Touchmark Senior Living in Appleton, WI on March 29, 2025 of natural causes. Loving wife and mother, loyal friend, and faithful volunteer for church and community, she touched many lives over the years. Wherever she went, Barb made friends easily and always strove to keep in touch with handwritten notes to congratulate, thank, or share news.

Born in Chicago, Barbara was the first child and eldest daughter of Einar and Ella Crown. She grew up in a grand Victorian house in Oak Park, IL in a neighborhood where the names of Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright were well known. “614”, as everyone in the family referred to it, was the site of extended family holiday gatherings where the “big table” and the children’s table entered into family lore as children became parents and new generations grew.

Barbara graduated from Oak Park High School in 1946 and went on to Northwestern University where she earned her degree in biochemistry. Her college years were full not only of studies, but also of sorority life and elaborate themed parties, well-documented in family photo albums that capture the youthful spirit of a post-war generation finally at peace and ready for prosperity. Barb made many lifelong friends in her school years, including the brother of one of them, who would become her husband of 62 years, Stuart Leslie, a Navy veteran and fellow Northwestern student. They married in December 1950, and though offered a job as a biochemist, Barb was eager to start a family, and so followed Stu as he built a career, first in science, and then later in sales.

While raising four children, Barb also kept the books for her father’s business, earned a teaching certificate and worked part-time for an accounting firm. Stu’s career took them to a number of cities, from the Midwest to Texas, where they always built a new house, joined a local church, helped with school sports and activities, and made new friends. A gracious hostess, Barb entertained the bridge club, church and community groups. Every child’s birthday was celebrated with school friends and a homemade cake. She made it look so easy, only her family knew how much effort and planning were needed to make it look that way.

Barb loved spending summers at her parents’ summer home in Lake Geneva, WI. She was a seasoned traveler and even dared to undertake long road trips in a car with no AC, kids in the backseat, and a pop-up camper in tow. Trips to Disney World with the children and then the grandchildren made indelible memories. At 90, Barb wanted to see one more part of the country she had somehow missed, and joined her daughters on a trip to Utah’s National Parks.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Stuart, an infant daughter, siblings Arline, and Robert. She is survived by children Stuart (Susan), Ellen Braatz (Gregory), Donna, and Laura Miller (Eric); Grandchildren Emma Parsons (Neal), Kevin Leslie; Alex, Elizabeth and Lili Braatz; Stuart Nikolai Leslie and Sarah Williams; Great-grandchildren Eloise and Edward Parsons; and nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

As a mother, grandmother, and foster mother, Barbara could always be counted on to welcome new babies, soothe fussy toddlers, and witness baptisms, graduations and weddings. She gave new parents confidence and modeled how patience, tolerance and generosity nurture a family. Her family will remember her unfailing encouragement, how proud she was of their accomplishments, her quiet strength in difficult times and her cheerful optimism that most things could turn out for the best.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Touchmark and St. Croix Hospice for their care throughout Barbara’s final days.

Plans for her funeral and burial services are currently in progress and will be updated as details become available.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to P.E.O., a national sisterhood of which she was a member, dedicated to promoting the education and empowerment of young women, and dear to Barbara’s heart through all the times of her life.

· Online donations link: https://peo-portal.com/donations?step=0 (the donor will have to select STAR Scholarship)

· Mail in donations to:

P.E.O. International
3700 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312