Trust the Torch!

Shirley Ilene Leanna

Shirley Ilene Leanna, 71, Palmyra, Wis., died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in her home surrounded by loved ones, ending her fight against cancer.
She was born in Woodstock to Dorothy and Kenneth Casey.
She graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1961 and continued to celebrate yearly reunions with her classmates where she found friendship and support.
On Dec. 15, 1962, she married the love of her life, Raymond Leanna Jr., in Marengo. They moved to Palmyra in 1965.
She ran the office for Ray Leanna Construction for 40 years. Anyone who knew her knew she was an impeccable bookkeeper. Her checkbook was balanced to the penny, and if it wasn’t, she was going to find out why. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing and quilting and passed her love of these hobbies on to her grandkids. She treasured her monthly Janome Sewing Club with the ladies at Kari’s Sew Unique. She also was a proud Red Hat Lady for many years.
She loved spending time at their cabin on Lake Puckaway, watching the water while Ray fished. She loved crocheting and would sit on the deck by the water and crochet for hours. For the past three years, since receiving her diagnosis, she has crocheted more than 35 prayer shawls for her fellow cancer patients. She had a passion for genealogy and traced her Casey-family roots back to the Revolutionary War.
She loved her grandchildren and was always very proud of them and their accomplishments. She led by example and taught them all how to be hard-working, loving, giving people. She encouraged them to learn to golf and came to all of their school and sporting events.
Ray and Shirley were married for 52 years and nine days. During that time, Ray gave her everything her heart desired, from a house in the woods where they could watch the deer, turkeys, squirrels and birds, to a cabin on the lake where they could watch the water.
Survivors include: her husband; three children, Randy (Anne) Leanna, Eagle, Wis., Sheri (Mike) Peardon, Palmyra, and Mary (Rob) Hollenberger, Palmyra; seven grandchildren, Benjamin, Jessica, Gabrielle, Mikayla, Ella and Alena, all of Palmyra, and Megan, Eagle; two sisters, Sandra (Steve) Pierce, Huntley, and Deborah (Gary) Noonan, Sharon, Wis.; a sister-in-law Karen Magnuson, Chetek, Wis.; two nieces; and six nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation and a memorial service were held Dec. 27 at the Haase-Lockwood funeral Home, Palmyra.

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