MADISON- Jean M. Leske Gillette, age 82, passed away peacefully the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Agrace HospiceCare after a battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on January 4, 1944, in Madison, the fourth daughter of Edmund and Jane (Mickey) Braun.

Jean was married to John Leske for 34 years. He passed away in 1996. Approximately nine years later, she married a former classmate, Paul Gillette, whom she met in first grade. Jean and Paul were married for 18 years.

Jean and John operated Leske’s Liquor Locker for 19 years and Arctic Ice for five years. After retiring from being a business owner in 2000, she attended Nicolet College to attain a CNA degree, and she worked in a nursing home for five years. After she retired from nursing, she enjoyed many days of fishing, spending time with friends and family at her cabin.

Jean is survived by her three children, Robert (Jelena) Leske, Thomas (Jean) Leske and Christine (Jim) Schuster; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Beverly Miller, Barbara Niemann, Richard (Jane) Braun, James Braun, Shirley (Mark) Herkert, Sharon (John) Bartosch, Jacqueline Braun, Michael Braun and Terrance (Jeanne) Braun; and in-laws, Melford Frydenlund, Patricia Infusino-Braun and Diane Braun. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Jane Braun; first husband, John Leske; siblings, Patricia Frydenlund, Judith Grudzina, Joseph Braun and Bernard Braun; and brothers-in-law, Martin Miller and Dave Niemann.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

A special thank you to the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their compassionate care of Jean.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Jean M Gillette

January 04, 1944 - June 03, 2026

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