Helen R. Leeser

 Helen R. Leeser, age 86, of  Lancaster, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2008, at the Lancaster Care  Center,  Lancaster. She was born in Burton, WI on September 12, 1922, the daughter of Adam Ted and Julia (Elskamp) Mink. Helen graduated from  Lancaster  High School in 1940. After graduation, she worked for Williams Mobil Oil and the Soil Conservation Service. Helen was united in marriage to Lawrence J. Leeser on June 8, 1944 at St. Clement Catholic Church in  Lancaster. Together they farmed in the Ellenboro area. After  Lawrences death on November 27, 1972, she continued to remain active in farming with her sons. Helen also worked as clerk of  Ellenboro  Township and at Doll Hardware for many years.

She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Helen loved farm life and being outdoors where she enjoyed gardening, yard work, feeding birds, hunting mushrooms and squirrel hunting. She enjoyed taking bus trips with her friends and always had time to help someone.

She is survived by her three sons: Ronald (Susan), Gary and Doug Leeser all of Lancaster; one granddaughter, Rebecca (Jack) Andree, Norton Shores, MI; three grandsons, Kirk, Larson, WI, Travis (Amy) and Brett (Teresa) Leeser, both of Rochester, MN; eight great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mary Mink, Prairie du Chien; two special cousins, Joyce Koelker, Cassville and Darlene Potter, Cassville.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; one sister, Mae Day and six brothers: Virgil, Leland Gus, Donald, Keith, Claude and Herbert Mink.

Funeral services were held at  10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2008 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Potosi, with Father Richard Leffler officiating. Burial was in  St. Thomas  Cemetery,  Potosi  Township. Friends called from  2:00 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at the Schwartz Funeral Home in  Lancaster where there was a Scripture Service at  2:00 p.m. Friends also called from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Monday at the church.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at the Lancaster Care  Center for the loving care they provided to her these past years.