Ann Horner Leestma

Ann Horner Leestma died on Sunday, December 2, 2018. She was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on July 5, 1928, to Viola Nast Richter and Leo Richter. She graduated from Goodrich High School and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, majoring in education. She taught in the Fond du Lac School District at Rosenow and Elizabeth Waters schools for a few years before marriage and children. She taught in the North Fond du Lac School District, first in a one room schoolhouse in Van Dyne, and then at the Friendship Learning Center until her retirement after 38 years in teaching.

She married Harry Horner on June 21, 1952. They had 2 boys, Richard and Thomas, both of whom died of Wiscott-Aldrich Syndrome before they were 3 years old. Ann and Harry could not imagine their lives without children, so they adopted two. They raised Barbara and Jim in Fond du Lac, while living on the west shore of Lake Winnebago. Harry developed Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 1988, and died in 1990.

Ann met Arnold Leestma, and they married on October 17, 1992. In 26 years, they traveled the world, tended a vineyard that Harry started in 1978 (all proceeds to the ALS Association), volunteered at the Hospice Home of Hope, were active in the First Presbyterian Church, gardened, and shared produce and dahlias with friends and strangers. Family is quite sure that Ann delivered more flowers than any other non-florist in the world.

Ann is survived by her husband Arnold Leestma of Fond du Lac, her sister, Claire Helen Ehernberger of Lincoln, Nebraska, her children Barbara Horner-Ibler (John) and Jim Banker-Horner (Lori), grandchildren David and Michael Horner-Ibler, Dan Banker, Julia and Bill Pitroski, and nieces Heidi Hamilton (Dan) and Marsha Polys (Michael). She is also survived by step-children Donna Arimura (Brian) and Bruce Leestma (Cindy), and grandchildren Bethany and Breeanna, Jamie, Tommy, AJ and Jennifer. She is preceded in death by her two sons, her first husband, and a step-son, Tom Leestma (Laurie Christie).

Services will be held on Saturday, December 15, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1225 Fourth Street in Fond du Lac. Visitation will be held from 1-3 pm, the service at 3 pm, and an Ice Cream Social immediately following.

Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420.