Lois Juanita Leitzinger, age 92 of Shullsburg, WI passed away Monday, June 10, 2019 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 1, 1926 near Shullsburg the daughter of Harvey and Juanita (Hancock) Bradt. She attended several country schools and Shullsburg Grade School. During her early childhood years Lois and her family lived in the Scales Mound, IL, Galena, IL, and Shullsburg areas. Lois was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Leitzinger on September 28, 1946 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Shullsburg. Together they celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2006.
Lois worked at MicroSwitch in Warren, IL and Freeport, IL for 10 years. She later waitressed at “The Roost” for almost 10 years and then 8 years at the Wheel-Inn in Shullsburg. Lois helped set up “Ben Franklin” in Darlington and worked there for 3 years.
Lois was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Shullsburg. She loved to work outside in the yard tending to her flowers and watching the birds. She made several handmade quilts for her children and comforters for her grandchildren. Her greatest joys in life were the family get-togethers at the farm where they lived for 46 years. Lois loved the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers and enjoyed watching the games with family and friends.
She loved music. She and Kenny enjoyed many years of dancing until he became ill. One of her greatest pleasures was listening to the band Kenny played in called “The Musical Knights” in his younger years. Another great joy of hers was listening to “The Fever River String Band” of which her son, Jim is a member.
Lois is survived by her children: Larry (Christine) Leitzinger of Monroe, WI, Linda Bourquin of Monroe, Ed Leitzinger of Palm Harbor, FL, Jim (Jackie) Leitzinger of Shullsburg, and Sheila (Dale) Meyer of McFarland, WI; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law George Buck of Rockford, IL; two sisters-in-law: Barbara Leitzinger of Monroe and Linda Leitzinger of Shullsburg. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Kenny in 2008; three brothers: Harold (Evelyn), Delbert (Stella), Wilford (Mary) Bradt and one sister: Gladys Buck.
A funeral service will be held Friday, June 14, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at Centenary United Methodist Church (226 W. Church St., Shullsburg) with Rev. Stanton Bockwoldt officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday, June 14, 2019 from 10:00 A.M. until 12:45 P.M. at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Shullsburg is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com
For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Lois’ name.
The family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank-you to Lois’ caregivers, Alice Bechtolt, Lynn Olsen, Twila Mick and Mary Jo Reyna who were so patient and understanding the past couple years. We would also like to give a special thank you to Cindy Teutschmann and Mary Shippy for going above and beyond normal caregiving and for their many years of love and devotion to Mom.
