Obituary of Leslie Donna Anderson

Leslie Donna Anderson (Harris) passed away on October 23, 2011. She was born on October 18, 1964 to Donald and Elores Harris. On November 26, 1983, she married Arthur Anderson and they resided at N8267 Clover Valley Road, Whitewater, WI.Lelsie and Art were blessed with two boys, Vinton II and Donald Anderson. A special blessing in her life was Vince's girlfriend Breanna Markee. Leslie is survived by her mother and step father Elores Hulen (Terry). She had 3 sisters and 1 brother: Geri Harris, Robin Goessling, Denise (Ricky) Johnson, and Robert (Lisa) Harris. Father-in-law, Vinton Anderson, brothers-in-law, Glenn & Lynn Anderson, LeRoy Anderson, sisters-in-law, Steve & Erna Mae Keil and Stan and Jane Plumber. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. All who loved her dearly as she was Aunt Leslie. She was met in heaven with big open arms by her father Donald Harris, her brother-in-law Ralph Goessling, and her mother-in-law Laverne Anderson.Leslie was a special little lady. She was diagonosed with diabetes at the age of 3. She had so many medical milestones to overcome in her short life and she faced each one with a fiery attitude. When she had triple bypass surgery many years ago, she was near death and doing poorly. When one of her nieces came to visit and cried, she opened her eyes and whispered, �Don't cry�, Aunt Leslie's tough! Leslie married Art, and they operated a dairy and crop farm east of Whitewater. She found her happiness being on the farm with Art and the boys. If Art was in the fields, Leslie always made sure she was home to take coffee to him. That was Leslie, always doing for others. She lived to take care of people. If we put her in charge of desserts for the holidays, she would make all the pies herself. If she found out you liked a particular food, she would go out of her way to find a recipe and make it for you. Anything Art needed she would try to do for him. But anything she needed or wanted, he did for her. Leslie had dialysis 3 days a week. Many of us offered to drive her, but Art did it himself, because that was quiet time, they could talk. Leslie didn't ask for much, but when she did Art was always happy to make it happen. He was building her a beautiful sunroom. She left us before it was completed, but she was so excited about her special room. Leslie enjoyed so many small things, ice cream cones with the boys, taking rides with her dog, Clyde, watching a hummingbird, mowing the lawn, anything Irish etc. etc., but most of all Leslie loved Art and her boys. She always had stories to tell about Vince and Donny. They made her proud. She would talk and talk about the latest accomplishments or antics. Whichever, she would laugh and smile. She loved to cook for them. Sunday's were french toast and pancakes. Easter was always cinnamon rolls (homemade with love of course). She always had something in the fridge for one of her hungry kids. Whether it was her kid, or somebody else's. The boys were her life. She was so proud that Vince was running the dairy, and Donny was helping Art with the field work and whatever they needed to throw at him. One thing though, you didn't want to cross Leslie. She was small but stood up for herself. We have so many stories of people being rude to her, and she would not stand for it. We all laugh because somebody so tiny had so much fire that she was feared. The irony is, she didn�t have a mean bone in her body. All of Leslie's nieces and nephews adored her. Many of them had helped on the farm or assisted her with whatever she wanted. Dana was with her last year when she had a heart attack, and assisted until the paramedics could take over. We are all so grateful we got that extra 16 months with her. Two of her other nieces spent this year helping her. Jenny would take her shopping and help her with her chores. Lana would take her exercising, or at least that's what they would say. Sometimes they just went shopping, or just sat around and talked. Leslie really enjoyed her time with them, but they were the lucky ones. No matter how many days on this earth you are given, it will never be enough. No matter how many songs you sing, you will have not sung enough. The little things in life that touch the heart of others, mean so much. Your footprints on this earth may be small, but your imprint is everlasting. Rest sweet Leslie, you gave us your all. We love you. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 27, 2011, at 11:00AM at the First English Lutheran Church, Whitewater, Wisconsin with Rev. Steven Hanson and Rev. Jerald Wendt officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 5-8PM on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater and after 10AM on Thursday at the church until the services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the American Diabetes Association.