Nancy E. Leussler

Leussler, Nancy Earle age 85, of Edina. Preceded in death by husband, Donn; sister, Peg (Richard) Gingerich; brother, Morison (Muriel) Buell. Survived by children, Jane Leussler (Rikki Grunberg) and David (Marcy) Leussler; grandchildren, Leslie Gorton, Jon Lee, Zjane Santiago-Militao, Regina Gorton, Robert Gorton, Valerie Leussler and Daniel Leussler; many great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Nancy (Buell) Leussler was born just as the Great Depression was beginning. Nancy was the cherished youngest child of two hopeless romantics. Protected from the family's failing finances by her parents and her beloved older brother (Bud) and sister (Peg), Nancy led a happy, joyful childhood, safe in the collective embrace of her extended family. Nancy moved many times throughout her youth as the family struggled through the Depression, and she found that her outgoing personality and loyalty as a friend were great assets. Just after World War II, Nancy met Donn Leussler through a Christian Science Youth Organization and fell in love. "I could tell by the way he treated others that he was a good person" she often said. They were married in 1949 and remained partners and friends until Donn's death less than a year before hers. At Donn's urging Nancy slowly finished her college degree in Elementary Education over 20 year's time and across three different colleges. She put that degree to use during a 15 year stint as a First-Grade teacher in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin often leaving before 6:00 a.m. and returning home after 5:00 p.m. Upon retiring from teaching, Nancy started free-lance writing and eventually produced a regular column for a small paper in Glendale, Wisconsin. Delighted by the opportunity, Nancy often wrote about her supportive family and friends and her incredible appreciation for life and the people in it. After 50 years living away (Cloquet, Chicago, Milwaukee) Nancy and Donn returned to their hometown of Minneapolis and sought active volunteer roles on a dozen or so committees at their new Senior Cooperative home at 7500 York Ave S. After 7 years they were grateful to be the first two residents to move to the connected York Garden Assisted-living where they were able to live out the remainder of their lives in the presence of kind and gentle staff and loyal friends. Nancy took to heart her gregarious, writer father who often exclaimed "Words are dynamite!" Seldom lacking a pen in her hand or a keyboard at her fingertips Nancy wrote notes, post cards and letters. She cut out block letters and pasted them to the picture window. She taped poems and song lyrics and famous quotes to the door of her apartment. She wrote on the back of placemats at restaurants and in margins of books. She read out- loud to children and grandchildren and taught adults to read. But mostly she could be observed embodying the wonderful words of Kahil Gilbran who once said "Rise at dawn with a winged heart, and give thanks for another day of loving." Memorial service 11:00 AM Saturday, Feb. 23 at at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, W. 50th St. & Vernon Ave at Hwy 100, Edina. Visitation one hour prior to service. Memorials preferred to The Loft Literary Center, Mpls, MN. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Nancy E. Leussler

January 1, 2013

Tributes

Nancy E. Leussler

January 1, 2013

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