Lettie Jane Leininger

Lettie Jane Leininger (nee Rentschler) passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the age of 94.

Lettie was born in Rochester, on Feb. 17, 1930, to Clarence and Virginia Rentschler, the oldest of four daughters. She grew up on a farm outside Fulton and attended Manchester College receiving a bachelor's degree in home economics. She married Donald W. Leininger Oct. 30, 1955. Don and Lettie celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2020, just prior to Don's passing.

As a youth, she learned to sew becoming an accomplished seamstress and competing in 4-H dress sewing competitions winning at the county fair and competing at the state fair. Sewing was a hobby that Lettie cherished through her life, creating clothes for family, friends and herself. She was also an avid gardener with particular focus on a variety of flowering plants. Lettie had a deep faith and was a member of several Baptist congregations throughout her life.

Upon graduation from college, Lettie taught home rconomics in a school at Ligonier. After marrying Don, the couple moved around the country in support of Don's career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. That period of time included assignments in South Carolina, Germany, Alaska, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Indiana, California and Florida. After Don retired from the service, they settled in Gurnee, Ill., and spend the remainder of their years in northern Illinois.

Lettie considered her greatest accomplishment to be the birth and raising of her and Don's three children, Dan, Julie and Chris. Lettie was a stay-at-home mom during the children's formative years, devoting all of her energies to her family. As her children grew older, Lettie returned to the working world in sewing/fabric and greeting card retail management. She retired from this second career in the late 1990s.

During early retirement, Lettie and Don traveled to Europe and around the U.S. and especially enjoyed spending time with grandchildren. In addition to sewing and gardening, Lettie spent time on puzzles and playing bridge. She was also an active member of the Exchange Club.

Lettie was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

She is survived by her children, Dan (Jen) of Layton, Utah, Julie (Ron Vander Weele) of Chicago, Ill., and Chris of French Lick; and grandchildren Megan, Allison, Emily, Will, Max, Abe and Van; and great-grandchild Henry.

All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information, call 847-223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.