Mary Elizabeth Leslein

August 6, 1921 - September 20, 2012

Mary E. Leslein, 92 of Curlew died Friday September 20, 2012 at the Emmetsburg Care Center. Services will be held Tuesday, 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Mallard with burial to follow in Rush Lake Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-7 PM Monday at the church. Harris Funeral Home of Mallard is in charge of arrangements. Mary Elizabeth Leslein, the daughter of Roy and Lucille (Sunday) Travis was born August 6,1921 in Manson, Iowa. She was raised and received her education in Pocahontas County. Mary worked for Dr. Powers, a dentist as a house keeper for a year and also for the John Kopriva family in Pocahontas. Mary's brothers would take her to the Redditts Ball Room to dance where she met Leonard Leslein. The couple dated for three years before they were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA May 10, 1941. After their marriage the couple returned to Curlew where they lived for 68 1/2 years on the homestead farm. Mary and Leonard wintered in Mesa AZ for over 35 years as well as traveling to many other states. Mary was a member of the Mallard United Methodist Church, the UMW, and the Good Neighbor Coffee Group since the 1940's. She also volunteered with the Emmetsburg Hospital Auxiliary, and always grew a big garden and loved flowers. The couple moved to Emerald Oaks in Emmetsburg in 2009. Mary is survived by her husband Leonard of Emmetsburg, daughters, Marilyn (David) Fehr of West Bend, IA, Connie (Paul) Cassens of Urbandale, IA, and Joy (Mike) Larson of Orange City, IA, 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and a brother Rex (Bobbi) Travis of Spencer, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers George, Robert, Ted, and Jim and sisters Pat Bittner and Ruth Scott. Online condolences to www.harrisfuneralservices.com