Shirley Leeck

Shirley Leone Gumz Kienitz Leeck, age 88, of Blue River, died on Wednesday, June 11, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, WI after a short illness.  Shirley was born on May 13, 1938, at home in Clyde Township to Alfred and Norma (Dring) Gumz.  Shirley lived for 84 years in the Avoca are; until she moved to rural Blue River after the death of her husband LeRoy Leeeck in 2022.  She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Avoca.  Shirley attended Meadow Brook Grade School and graduated from Avoca High School in 1955.  On January 25, 1955, she married Eugene Kienitz and together they raised 5 children.  They farmed in the Clyde Township rural Avoca for 10 years and then moved to the Kienitz family farm on Hwy N rural Avoca.  In 1980 they purchased the farm.  Shirley and Eugene divorced in 1996.  Shirley remained on the farm with the help of her children.  She was active in Homemakers, her church and was very proud to have been involved in 4H.  She was a homemaker, farmer and later in life worked for Wal-Mart and Lands End for 10 years, retiring in 2008.   Shirley married LeRoy Leeck on September 29, 2001, and moved to the Village of Avoca.  Lee preceded her in death in October of 2021.  Shirley was the happiest to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her 4 children: Valerie (Michael) Bailey, rural Boscobel, Debra Schwingel, of Blue River, Michael (Joan) Kienitz, Hamilton, Montana, 11 grandchildren, Matt Olson, Chris Olson, Courtney Schwingel Hisel, Brandon Schwingel, Gregory Kienitz, Stacy( Kienitz) Wood, Ashley (Rogers) Klingman, Tyson Rogers, Brittney (Kienitz) Scheffler, Kyler Kienitz, Patrick Bailey and their spouses and families.  Also 20 great-grandchildren, Brother-in-law, Carl Hensler, rural Avoca,   She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Norma Gumz, son, Dennis John Kienitz, daughter, Sheila Lynn Olson, sons-in-law, Wayne Olson and Patrick Schwingel, siblings, Bonita “Bonnie” Palen Davis, Darlene (Laufenberg) Hensler, Merlin Gumz, step grandson, Joseph Rogers, brothers-in-law, John Palan and Lee Davis, sister-in-law, Jan Gumz.  Shirley is further survived by stepchildren, Dale and Deb Leeck, Gary Leeck, Mark and Heidi Leeck and Amy and Mike Mellor, sisters-in-law, Verdell Leek, Joanne Leek, Marlene and Richard Franback, all of Algona, IA, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 St. John’s Lutheran Church, Avoca, WI.  The visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the church and on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in rural Avoca.  Melby Funeral Home & Crematory of Platteville, WI is serving the family.  Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.