Avis Irene Lease

SUN PRAIRIE - Avis Irene Lease, age 86, passed away surrounded by her family on April 16, 2015, at Golden Living Center in Randolph, Wis. Avis was born on Feb. 27, 1929, to Dewey and Margaret (Schindler) Horner in Blanchardville, Wis. She graduated from Blanchardville High School in 1947. Avis married Donald M. Lease on Jan. 21, 1948. She was a devoted wife and homemaker dedicated to the care of her family and raising their nine children. In addition to raising her family, she worked in the lunch program for the Sun Prairie School System, and as a nurse's aide at the Willows Nursing Home in Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie Health Care Center. Avis and Donald had nine children, Mike Lease, Patricia (David) Derr, Robert (Cindy) Lease, Sharon (Don) Schaase, Julie (Doug) Butler, Mark (Anne) Lease, Peggy (Terry) O'Connor, Tom (Anita) Lease, and Rick (Angie) Lease. They have 19 grandchildren, Jodie, Blake, and Andrea (Derr), Jennifer and Michael (Lease), Nathan, Leah and Annemarie (Schaase), Breanne (Butler), Gabriel (Lease), Ryan, Tim and Lisa (O'Connor), Jenna, Steven and Hannah (Lease), and Katelyn and Jordan (Jaeckels), and Adam (Lease). Avis and Don also had 19 great-grandchildren. Avis was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, of 63 years; and her parents. She is survived by her sisters, Beatrice Edmunds and Pauline Theiler; and her brothers, Dean (Sonja) Horner and Roger Horner. Mom's greatest joy in life was serving her family and others. She was a person who defined what it means to serve others. She was an incredible cook who could make a fantastic meal out of anything and her children were always well-cared for and greatly loved. Mom loved music and dancing, and always had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone. We thank God for blessing us with a mother who was faithful and steadfast through the challenges of life. We are so blessed to be your children and grandchildren. We love you and will remember you always. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015, at ST. ANN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 323 N. Buren St., Stoughton. Burial will follow at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Stoughton. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Monday at the church. All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608)442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com