Obituary for Leon "Lee" G. Fernstaedt
Regular Service
Leon (Lee) G. Fernstaedt, 82, of West Salem, WI, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Hillview Nursing Home in La Crosse, WI, after a brief illness.
He was born April 30, 1943, in Freeport, IL, to Robert and Susie A. (Heindel) Fernstaedt. Lee graduated from South Wayne High School in 1961 and attended Green County Teachers College. In 1966, he enlisted in the National Guard.
Lee married Jean A. Schneider on August 9, 1964, in Monroe, WI. The couple lived in Monroe from 1964 until 1990, when they moved to West Salem.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean A. Fernstaedt; three children, Jodi (Bruce) Thompson of Weston, Jill (Eric) Iliff of West Salem, and Ryan (Julie) Fernstaedt of Weston; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild along with his sister Alice Tschudy of New Glarus.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem, WI, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. A private burial will take place at a later date.