Leonard “Len” Herman Leis

FENNIMORE – Leonard “Len” Herman Leis, age 85, passed away on August 25, 2025, at Dove Healthcare in Fennimore. Len was born on September 18, 1939, the son of Edward and Hilda (Brueggeman) Leis.

Len graduated from Cashton High School and attended Richland Teacher’s College in Richland Center. He began his career as an Industrial Engineer with Barber Coleman in Rockford, Illinois. On November 5, 1960, Len married the love of his life, Marilyn Olson, at Five Points Lutheran Church in rural Blue River. Together, they built a beautiful life, blessed with four children living in Beloit from 1960 to 1973, before settling in Fennimore.

Len worked as an Industrial Engineer at Advance Transformer in Boscobel, where he had a co-patent for a laminated transformer welding method. He retired in 2003 after 30 years of dedicated service. Len was also a partner in the Badger Car Wash in Fennimore, where he helped even after it was sold.

Faith, community, and volunteering were central to Len’s life. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and served on the boards for Fennimore Area Health Services and the Good Samaritan Society. He gave his time and talents to the Doll and Toy Museum, the Railroad Museum, Habitat for Humanity, the Friends of Marsden Park, and the Fennimore Community Theatre. An active member of the Fennimore Lions Club, Len held roles including President and Lucky 26 Chairman. His dedication was recognized with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Lions International Award.

Len had a deep love of the outdoors and family adventures. Many memories were made on camping trips to Hatfield, Castle Rock, and Spooner. He enjoyed golfing, bird feeding, gardening, and keeping a well-tended lawn. Travel with Marilyn, friends, and family took him on cruises to many destinations as well as trips to Door County, Minnesota, Michigan, Branson, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, New York, Hawaii, and Florida, where many winters were spent.

His children survive Len: Kevin (Shari) Leis of Boscobel, Kent (Terry) Leis of Cape Coral, FL, and Nicole (Tim) Vogt, of Fennimore; grandchildren: Megan Leis of Eau Claire, Kevin Leis II of Eau Claire, Nakkea (Cory) Fitzgerald of Poynette, and Caitlyn Vogt (Ryan Fountain) of Poynette; great-grandsons James Leis and Jeremiah Privett; step grandchildren, Becky Link of Cape Coral, FL, Brandon (Brooklynn) Kvamme of Mount Vernon, WA, Ashley (Steven) McKillip of Boscobel; step great-grandchildren, Trevor Link of Fort Myers, FL, M’Kenzy Link of Philadelphia, PA, Jason Kvamme, Carter McKillip of Boscobel and special family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marilyn on March 26, 2025, infant son Kerry Michael, sister Rita Achammer, brother-in-law Glen Achammer, sister-in-law Giaconda Leis, and sister-in-law Jeannie Leis.