Patrick Donald Leis, 61, of Westby, formerly of Cashton, Wis., died March 4, 2024, at the Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.
Pat was born Dec. 19, 1962, to Peter Jr. and Julia (Schreier) Leis and grew up on the family farm in Brush Creek. He was a 1981 graduate of Cashton High School.
On Feb. 21, 1987, Pat was united in marriage to Shannon Waters at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Cashton. They settled in Brush Creek, not far from Pat’s home farm. Pat and Shannon farmed on their own as well as with his parents until 1996. He was a cheesemaker and he worked at K & K Cheese for more than 30 years, until congestive heart failure ended his working days in 2019.
Pat and Shannon were blessed with three children: Katie in 1988, Patrick in 1992, and Colin in 1999.
Pete and Julia raised Pat to be a man of deep faith and humble integrity. He understood the meaning and value of hard work. He was quiet and compassionate, a friend to all.
Autumn was Pat’s favorite time of year, hunting his favorite season. His passion for stalking white tails reached its pinnacle when he shared it with and nurtured it in his boys.
The true joy of Pat’s life was family. He was happiest at home surrounded by those who loved him best. His grandson, Hugh Donald, brought him a measure of delight he had never imagined.
Pat is survived by his wife, Shannon; his sons, Patrick (Alaina Arbuckle) of Westby and Colin of East Moline, Ill.; his grandson, Hugh of Westby; his sisters, Carol Leis (Charles Morgan) of Sparta, Barbara (Ted) Denning of Chippewa Falls, Sharon Trujillo of Melrose, and Susan (Howard) Larson of Bangor, his brother, Philip of Cashton; his brothers-in-law, Jim Chapiewsky of Black River Falls, Terry Leland of La Crosse, Duane Waters of Merrillan, and Jason Waters of Iron River; his godmother, Judy Schreier of Cashton; his godson, Ervin Hughes III; along with aunts, uncles, niece, nephews, as well as many neighbors and friends.
Pat was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Katie; his parents, Peter and Julia Leis; his sisters, Janet Chapiewsky and Joan Leland; his brother-in-law, Nick Trujillo; his father-in-law, Ken Waters; his mother-in-law, Dianne Darling; and his godfather, Donald Schreier.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Gundersen Medical Foundation for medical education.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 8, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church on St. Mary’s Ridge, rural Norwalk. Father Matthew Bowe will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Thursday, March 7, beginning at 4 p.m. and will conclude at 7 p.m. with a rosary at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Visitation also will be held Friday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
