Mary Ann Leschke

Mary Ann Leschke, age 81, passed away at Country Villa, in Freedom, Wisconsin on Monday, July 29, 2019.

Mary Ann was born August 1, 1937, in Chilton, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late George and Catherine (Steffen) Bartel.‚ÄØ She was a graduate of Valders High School, Class of 1955. Mary Ann graduated in 1958 with a R.N. degree from Holy Family School of Nursing in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She married James Leschke on August 6, 1960, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. She was employed as a registered nurse at Holy Family Hospital‚ÄØ in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and at the Care Now Clinic and KinderCare DayCare in Appleton, Wisconsin. Mary Ann also worked assisting a mother of seven children as a home school teacher.‚ÄØ

She loved writing poetry and letters, Soduko, Uno, Sequence, sewing, embroidery, reading, cooking, and gardening outside during the warm summer months. Her children have all established careers serving other people – in the health profession, the educational system, or ministry. Their desire to serve others is a product of her exceptional skill at raising children. Being a good neighbor and serving others was paramount to Mary Ann and a lesson she passed on to her children.

Survivors include her 7 children: Lynn (Jim) Greicar, Anne (Nick Baumgart) Leschke, Dave (Susan) Hellstrom, Mary (Ron) Locast, Mark Leschke, Peter (Nancy) Leschke, and Bob (Tony Lucchesi) Leschke; 13 grandchildren: Tom (Carmen) Greicar, Chris (Angie) Greicar, Jackson and Emma Baumgart, Grace, Hank, and Sam Hellstrom, Peter and Jonathan Locast, and Aaron, Nathan, Anya, and Kavya Leschke; 4 great-grandchildren: James, Sean, Logan, and Cyrena; She is also survived by three‚ÄØsisters: Dorothy Edwards, Elizabeth (Joe) Mazna, and Agnes (Keith Powell) Brennan, Sister-in-law, Janel Bartel and brother-in-law, Gary Schultz; as well as many nieces and nephews, family, and friends..

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Leschke, and siblings, Shirley and Leo.

Visitation will be held for Mary Ann from 5-7 PM on Thursday, August 15 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton, WI 54911 with a Vigil following at 7 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated for Mary Ann at 11 AM on Friday, August 16, 2019 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St, Appleton, WI. Family and friends may visit at the church from 9:30 AM to the time of mass. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Appleton.

The family would like to thank the compassionate care provided by Country Villa Assisted Living; Heartland Hospice and Dr. Steven Shopbell, Laurie Knutzen and staff.

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