Marilyn Elaine Leis

FENNIMORE - Marilyn Elaine (Olson) Leis, age 83, passed away on Wednesday March 26, 2025, at Dove Healthcare in Fennimore. She was born on October 6, 1941, on the farm in Soldiers Grove, daughter of Albert and Elgia (McDaniel) Olson. She graduated as the valedictorian of Soldiers Grove High School.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Leonard Leis on November 5, 1960, at Five Points Lutheran Church, in rural Blue River. They lived in Beloit from 1960-1973. Having been blessed with four children, Marilyn chose motherhood as her primary career and was proud to be a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and made a special effort to stay close to her extended family, especially her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Marilyn was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Marilyn and her family went on many camping weekends; their favorite areas were Lakes Arbutus at Hatfield and Petenwell at Castle Rock. They also spent weeks at lakes with siblings and their families. Marilyn's love for her family and children carried over to her time spent providing childcare in her home. The children she cared for became part of her family. As her children got older, Marilyn obtained a secretarial specialist degree at Southwest Technical College. In 1984, she took a position at a dental office where she was employed for 24 years and became very close to her co-workers and patients.

As an active member in her community, Marilyn was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Daughters of the American Revolution- Fort Crawford Chapter in Prairie du Chien, and the Red Hat Dolls. She enjoyed volunteering at the Doll & Toy Museum, The Depot Exchange, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Marsden Park, Senior Meal Site, and the Railroad Museum. Marilyn loved taking photos for the scrap books she made for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed doing ceramics, crocheting, knitting, golfing, tending to their flower gardens, collecting stamps, Hummels, and dolls. Any time spent with her family was cherished. They had many travel adventures including trips to Door County, Branson, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, New York, Boston, Hawaii, and Disney trips with her grandchildren. They also enjoyed the many cruises they went on including the Panama Canal. She always looked forward to winters in Florida with family.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 64 years, Leonard of Fennimore; children: 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 Fennimore; great-grandsons James Leis and Jeremiah Privett; step grandchildren, Becky Link of Cape Coral, FL, Brandon (Brooklynn) Kvamme of Mount Vernon, WA and Ashley (Steven) McKillip of Boscobel; step great-grandchildren, Trevor Link of Fort Myers, FL, and M’Kenzy Link of Philadelphia, PA, Jason Kvamme and Carter McKillip of Boscobel; sisters: Shirley (Andy) Potts, of La Crosse, Sherrie (Dan) Ness of St. Petersburg, FL, Marsha (Stan) Litsinger of Naples, FL; brothers, Gary (Karen) Olson of Richland Center and Larry (Jayne) Olson of Viroqua; and many special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her loving parents, grandparents, infant son Kerry Michael, sister and brother-in-law Doris and Dick Zenda and special aunts, uncles and cousins.