Cover photo for Geraldine "Geri" Leist's Obituary
Geraldine "Geri" Leist Profile Photo
1941 Geraldine 2023

Geraldine "Geri" Leist

September 26, 1941 — July 1, 2023

Geraldine “Geri” (Fischer) Leist, 81, of Reedsville, peacefully passed away July 1, 2023 at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center in Green Bay, after a courageous battle with Amyloidosis, a rare disease that affected her heart. She was surrounded by her loving husband and children.

Geri was born September 26, 1941 in Green Bay to Alex and Marcella Fischer. She attended St. Patrick’s School in Maple Grove and Reedsville High School, graduating in 1959.  She married the love of her life, John “Moses” Leist on July 4, 1964—and missed celebrating their 59th anniversary by three days. She worked at Leverenz’s Shoe Factory in Valders, on their dairy farm in Reedsville and at Ariens in Brillion.

She enjoyed playing dartball, snowmobiling, fishing and playing cards. She volunteered at church events and staffed the Farm Bureau Stand at the Manitowoc County Fair for decades. She enjoyed baking chocolate chip cookies for John, gardening and canning—and was especially renowned for her sweet dill pickles. She hosted family Christmases and cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Geri was involved with the St. Mary’s Marion Council, the Riverview Homemakers and the Clarks Mills Sportsman’s Club.

As a matriarch, Geri juggled many roles. She would bale hay, then care for her children. She would balance time between milking cows and making German potato salad. The first thing most people mentioned when they heard her name was “Hard Worker”.

Geri is survived by her husband, John, their six children: Mary (Sammy Doud), Chuckey, TN; Joe (Cheryl) Leist, Hopkinsville, KY; Mike (Kim) Leist, Reedsville; Judy (Wade) Martzahl, Hortonville; Rick Leist, Collins; and Susie Leist, Manitowoc; eight grandchildren: Katrina Wampler, Seth Leist, Krystall (Garrett) Shaw, Mike (Mikey) Leist, Cam Martzahl, Mackenzie Martzahl, Alex Leist and Trevor Leist; and five great-grandchildren.

Geri is further survived by two brothers: Roger (Joanne) Fischer, Darboy and Wayne Fischer, Yucaipa, CA; one sister: Jackie Kriescher, Green Bay; five sisters-in-law: Regina Fischer, Brillion; Helen (Luke) Ratajczak, Brillion; Kathy Fischer, Whitelaw; Denise Fischer, Manitowoc and Ann Smaglik, Manitowoc; three brothers-in-law: Bob (Charlotte) Leist, Reedsville; William (Kathy) Leist, Manitowoc and Karl Leist, Sammamish, WA.  Many nieces and nephews also survive.  Geri was preceded in death by her parents: Alex and Marcella Fischer; father-in-law & mother-in-law: Edward and Agatha Leist; one grandson, Chad Wampler; four brothers: Glenn, Richard, Lee and Bill Fischer; three brothers-in-law: Harold Riemer, Don Kriescher and Ed Smaglik and two sisters-in law: Laura Fischer and Victoria Leist.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clarks Mills. Rev. Richard Klingeisen and Deacon Randy Jaeckels will preside at the service, with burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Clarks Mills.

Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, July 13th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clarks Mills from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. A parish prayer service will conclude the evening at 7:00 o'clock. Visitation will continue at the church Friday morning after 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Leist family with funeral arrangements.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Aurora BayCare Medical Center and River’s Bend Health & Rehabilitation for the care and compassion shown to Geri and her family over the past few years.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Geraldine "Geri" Leist, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, July 13, 2023

3:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

St. Mary's Catholic Church

, Norman, OK

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Prayer Service

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Starts at 7:00 pm (Central time)

St. Mary's Catholic Church

, Norman, OK

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Friday, July 14, 2023

9:00 - 10:45 am (Central time)

St. Mary's Catholic Church

, Norman, OK

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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