Shirley M. Lessner

Shirley M. Lessner, 95, of Watertown, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at London Lodge in Cambridge.

Shirley was born on July 13, 1928, in Johnson Creek, the daughter of Arthur and Rose (Pirkel) Schultz. She graduated from Watertown High School. After graduating, Shirley worked in the office of Brandt Automatic Cashier Co. and in the office of JC Penny. She married the love of her life Robert Lessner on June 17, 1950, at St. Henry Catholic Church. The couple was blessed with five children and Shirley was proud to be a homemaker, first with her own children and later with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She greatly enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in sports and other activities when she was able to. Shirley and Robert enjoyed 57 years of marriage before his passing in 2008. Shirley was a lifelong member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church where she was involved with school and church activities like the Christian Mothers. After the kids were grown, Shirley began golfing with Bob and on the Women’s League. She also liked traveling to State Farm Conventions with Bob, and the two enjoyed seeing new sights at each location they visited. Shirley was an avid Green Bay Packer fan as well as a Wisconsin Badgers Football and Basketball fan. She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

Shirley is survived by: her children Michael (Valerie) Lessner of Watertown, Christine Preston of Rockton, IL, Richard (Sonya) Lessner of McFarland, Mark (Lisa) Lessner and Patrice (John) Walter, both of Watertown; her grandchildren Todd (Jodi) Lessner, James (Katie) Connelly, Ryan (Emily) Lessner, Alisha (Josh) Cheever, Justin (Sara) Lessner, Jessica and Joseph Lessner, Amanda (Trevor) Schlicht, Krista (John) Jensen, Hillary (Brian) Severson, Caleb and Ethan Walter and Robert Lessner; and her great-grandchildren Payton, Lauren, Camryn,  and Avery Lessner, Brady and Molly Lessner, Dylan Connelly, Makayla and Kaden Cheever, Ben, James, and Elena Lessner, and Leo Jensen. Shirley is also survived by other relatives and many friends.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents and husband Bob.

Special thanks to London Lodge Assisted Living for their special care of Shirley over the past 2 years. And extra thanks to Meg and Crystal for treating her like part of the family.

A funeral service will take place at 12:00 PM on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home with Fr. Manuel Mendez presiding. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery in Johnson Creek.

Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home is caring for the family. To place an online condolence, please visit www.sv-fh.com.