Marjorie Jean Lease

DODGEVILLE - Marjorie Jean (Reuter) Lease, age 92, of Barneveld and Dodgeville, died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at Bloomfield Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Dodgeville. She was born May 5, 1929, in Richland Center, to Henry and Geraldine (Miller) Reuter. She met her future husband, Raymond Lease, at a dance in Lone Rock and they married on June 30, 1948. Together they farmed in the Ridgeway, Dodgeville and Barneveld areas most of their married lives. Marjorie and Raymond raised a family of 11 children on the farm. She often worked beside her husband and kids in the barn while keeping the home fires burning. She kept a big garden, was quick to put a meal on the table for visitors and family and was especially known for her homemade breads, cinnamon rolls and doughnuts. All the children were involved in 4-H, where her daughters were all taught to sew, cook and can. She was an amazing organizer, keeping a task list to get the meals on the table, school lunches made, barn chores done and chickens cared for. Her exemplary work ethic was a great example for us all. Marjorie was always proud of her children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her homes and nursing home room were filled with photos of three generations of family members. After her children were raised, she worked in the quality assurance department at Lands’ End for several years and started an in-house bakery in their retirement home on the Barneveld farm. She and Raymond marketed her baked goods at area farmers’ markets. Marjorie’s Catholic faith was always important to her, and she was a long-time member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Ridgeway, serving in the Altar Society and teaching faith formation. She was also the organist there for several years. Survivors include children, Raymond (Barb) of La Crosse, Anne (Jim) Massey of Barneveld, Catherine Parman of Hollandale, Theresa (Ken) Rue of Barneveld, Mary (Von) Hiller of Prosperity, S.C., James of Jonesdale, Patrick of Edgerton, Diane Rott of Mount Horeb and Dolores (Jeff) Beaster of McFarland; son-in-law, Jerry Zander of Barneveld; 32 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Shirley Schmid of Waunakee and Rosemary Herndon of Baraboo. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years; her parents; daughters, Jean Lease and Laura Zander; brothers, Edward and Gerald Reuter; sister, Marie Reuter; son-in-law, Greg Parman; granddaughters, Jessica and Jennifer Lease; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law. The family would like to thank the amazing staff members at Bloomfield Manor for their tireless and compassionate care and for making Marjorie a part of their family for nearly five years. Visitation will be at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 803 Main St., Ridgeway, on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Stephen Petrica officiating. Burial will be at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Cemetery in Ridgeway. Fellowship and luncheon will follow at the church with outdoor and indoor seating available. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jennifer Lease Scholarship Fund, payable to Barneveld School District; St. Bernadette Parish, Ridgeway; Bloomfield Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Dodgeville; or a food pantry of choice. Gunderson Camacho Funeral Home in Mount Horeb is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral & Cremation Care 500 N. Eighth St. (608) 437-5077