Obituary for Anne Leunig
Anne Leunig passed away peacefully on January 20, 2022 at age 90. Anne was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, George, her cherished daughter Diane, and her parents, Herman and Madeline Havecker. She is survived by her four sons, Tom (Renee), Mark (Kate), John (Patty) and Dan (Kat); ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; her sister Doris (David) Jesiolowski; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Anne was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931 and graduated from Ft. Hamilton High School in 1949. In 1950 she married George and moved to Peoria, IL where George earned an engineering degree under the GI Bill at Bradley University. Anne supported George during his studies working as a secretary at Caterpillar Tractor Co. After the birth of their first son and George’s graduation, they embarked on a traveling adventure, living in several Northeastern cities while George completed a training program with General Electric.
Settling in Dalton, MA, Anne welcomed three more children and assisted George in restoring a historic 18th century home. Anne was active in her church, the community and her children’s education and activities. A skilled seamstress, Anne took pride in making her children’s clothing.
In 1964, Anne and George moved their family to Wisconsin when George took a job at GE X-Ray. They settled in Wauwatosa where they welcomed their fifth child, raised their family, and lived for more than 50 years. Anne was a foundation of strength and support for all her children’s activities in church, at school, sports, and Scouting.
As her children matured, Anne became active in various social justice causes, including Lutheran Social Action, League of Women Voters, Civil Rights, Open Housing, and the Vietnam anti-war movement. When her children were grown Anne returned to the workforce as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union. She finished her career as an Administrative Assistant at the Wisconsin Public Defenders Office, where she made many lifetime friends and earned a reputation as a caring and trusted partner.
In retirement, Anne turned her love and big heart to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, travelling with George to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other important family events. She also took her remarkable sewing skills to a new level, becoming a master quilter and co-founding the Quilters Club at Unitarian Universalist Church West, where Anne and George were active members.
Anne will be remembered and treasured by the large loving family she created and the many people she befriended in her life as a sweet, loving, caring woman with a heart of gold who treated everyone she met with kindness and respect. She will be greatly missed but is now reunited with George, Diane, and her beloved parents.
A private celebration of Anne’s life will be held by the family. Donations in Anne’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/wi
Anne was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931 and graduated from Ft. Hamilton High School in 1949. In 1950 she married George and moved to Peoria, IL where George earned an engineering degree under the GI Bill at Bradley University. Anne supported George during his studies working as a secretary at Caterpillar Tractor Co. After the birth of their first son and George’s graduation, they embarked on a traveling adventure, living in several Northeastern cities while George completed a training program with General Electric.
Settling in Dalton, MA, Anne welcomed three more children and assisted George in restoring a historic 18th century home. Anne was active in her church, the community and her children’s education and activities. A skilled seamstress, Anne took pride in making her children’s clothing.
In 1964, Anne and George moved their family to Wisconsin when George took a job at GE X-Ray. They settled in Wauwatosa where they welcomed their fifth child, raised their family, and lived for more than 50 years. Anne was a foundation of strength and support for all her children’s activities in church, at school, sports, and Scouting.
As her children matured, Anne became active in various social justice causes, including Lutheran Social Action, League of Women Voters, Civil Rights, Open Housing, and the Vietnam anti-war movement. When her children were grown Anne returned to the workforce as the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union. She finished her career as an Administrative Assistant at the Wisconsin Public Defenders Office, where she made many lifetime friends and earned a reputation as a caring and trusted partner.
In retirement, Anne turned her love and big heart to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, travelling with George to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other important family events. She also took her remarkable sewing skills to a new level, becoming a master quilter and co-founding the Quilters Club at Unitarian Universalist Church West, where Anne and George were active members.
Anne will be remembered and treasured by the large loving family she created and the many people she befriended in her life as a sweet, loving, caring woman with a heart of gold who treated everyone she met with kindness and respect. She will be greatly missed but is now reunited with George, Diane, and her beloved parents.
A private celebration of Anne’s life will be held by the family. Donations in Anne’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/wi