Denise Mary Lehner, age 63, gained her angel wings and was reunited with her one true love again on Monday, December 16, 2024.
Denise was born to Donald and Goldie Brunner on January 1, 1961 making her the New Year’s baby of the year in Madison, WI, a title she wore proudly. She grew up as one of seven children in Pine Bluff & Mount Horeb, WI and had a very happy childhood. She graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1979 and loved being a cheerleader there. On July 11, 1987 she married the love of her life, Hans Lehner. They lived in Browntown, WI and had a marriage many people dream of having. Together they raised two children, Hans Jr. and Gabriela.
Along with her husband, Denise owned and operated Valley View Cheese in South Wayne, WI. She was a brilliant businesswoman and excelled in everything she did. She especially loved her Saturdays at the Dane County Farmers Market where she sold cheese for many years. She was generous and was always willing to help others in any way she could.
Denise had a love of traveling and had visited many places in her lifetime. She treasured her family trips to Jamaica, and it was important to her to show her children how big the world really is. When she wasn’t traveling, she loved to walk and spend time boating on Lake Waubesa where she lived for the last 5 years of her life.
In November of 2018, she was given her most favorite role of “Nana” when she became a grandma for the first time. There was nothing that made her smile more than spending time with her three grandsons.
Denise is survived by her children, Hans Lehner Jr. (Candie Gross) of Browntown, WI and Gabriela (Patrick) Wolard of Browntown, WI. Her grandsons, Parker, Hudson, and Briggs Wolard. Her father, Donald Brunner of Mount Horeb, WI. Her brothers, Donald Jr (Marianne) Brunner of Sun Prairie, WI and Dennis (Dixie) Brunner of Kanab, UT. Her sisters Diane (Jeff) Buechner of Pine, AZ, Darlene (Mark) Cunneen of Verona, WI, Deb (Tim) Fargo of Blue Mounds, WI, and Gail (Bruce) Fearing of Mount Horeb, WI. Her brother-in-law Willie Lehner of Blue Mounds, WI, her sisters-in-law: Mary (James) Meives of Blue Mounds, WI and Heidi Fannin of Racine, WI. Along with many nieces and nephews and other family and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Hans, her mother Goldie Brunner, her father-in-law William Lehner, mother-in-law Mary Lehner, and two brothers-in-law, Peter and Thomas Lehner.
The family would like to thank the Mount Horeb Police Department and First Responders.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 12:00 Noon with a visitation from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Noon at Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home, followed by a private family burial. A celebration of life will be held at a later date during Denise’s favorite season of summer.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD).
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
