Carol Leckie

Leckie, Carol M. Judd MADISON –Carol M. Judd Leckie, age 86, of Madison, peacefully passed on to meet her Lord, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Oakwood Village East. She was born on Feb. 25, 1929, in Watertown, the daughter of Arthur W. and Effie V. Bessel. Carol lived a rich and full life. She truly loved her family and God and lived her life with devotion to both, setting an excellent example for her family to follow. For many decades, Carol brought her large family together regularly for group birthday parties and holidays, ensuring that the family remain in close contact. She was always ready and willing to give her time and resources to family and friends and also to others in need. Carol had a long and accomplished professional career. She worked for the U.S. Armed Forces Institute for 12 years, followed by service to the State of Wisconsin for 23 years. Carol worked in many areas, including the Dept. of Administration in information technology, and with the Department of Justice. She later managed the State Records Center, and then managed WISCOMP, the print composition area for State publications. Carol was a strong woman in mind and body, blessed with boundless energy and a kind and compassionate nature, and was known for her organizational skills. A natural leader, Carol frequently became the leader of the various groups, associations, and activities she became involved with, serving terms as president or as officer, of several professional associations, including Madison chapters of Data Processing Management Association and the Association of Records Management. She retired from WISCOMP and spent her retirement staying active and volunteering at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and Oakwood Village East. Carol dearly loved her Chippewa River cabin in Ojibwa near the family farm where she spent her early years. She spent much of her time at the cabin, usually accompanied by her husband, Len, with grandchildren, or with Gloria, her best friend and collaborator in fun and travel. In her later years she very much enjoyed her grandchildren and was always ready to play a game of Dominos or Farkle with them. Carol is survived by her son, Russell (Janet) Judd of Madison; her daughter, Barbara (Mark) Hartlaub of Janesville; step-sons, Leonard Leckie, III of Gardiner, Mont. and Gordon (Heather) Leckie of Poynette; step-daughter, Lorna Leckie of Madison; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Patricia Gavin of Levittown,Pa., Catherine Downs of Madison/Austin, Connie (Keith) Drusen of Branson, Mo. and Joanne Rusecki of Jefferson; brothers, Michael (Maryann) Downs of New Bern, N.C. and Art (Jean) Bessel of Beaver Dam; and sister-in-law, Shirley Bessel of Madison. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard Leckie, Lee White, and Ralph Judd, Jr.; her parents; her brothers, Charles (Lois) and Walter Bessel; her sister, Margaret Brown; and her lifelong best friend, Gloria Abendroth of Waterloo. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. The family would like to thank the staff of Oakwood East and Agrace HospiceCare for their care and assistance to Carol and family in her last days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, http://www.alzwisc.org . "Love and God Bless" Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420