Jeffrey W. Leehe, age 64 of Elmwood, died Friday November 6, 2020 at his home in Elmwood.

Jeff was born March 16, 1956 in Racine to Robert and Patricia (Josrstad) Leehe.  He graduated from Racine Park High School in 1974 and always said playing football was the best part of going to school.

Jeff moved with his parents to Spring Valley to the Leehe family farm where is grandfather, Adolph Leehe still lived.  He loved the farm his entire life.

Jeff became an industrial/commercial painter from 1975 to 1990, working all over the United States.  A horrible accident on the top of the Chicago Post Office nearly killed him in the fall of 1980.  Jeff took a Carribean cruise in March on 1981 to do something different while he was recovering from the accident.  He was surprised to meet his future wife, Karen Pearce, as he wasn’t sure he was going to like the cruise.  They were married February 10, 1982.  They bought their home in Elmwood in September of 1982, where he lived the rest of his life.

Jeff began his painting/contractor business in early spring of 1991, Jeff Leehe Painting and Decorating, LLC and was still operating the business when he died.

He loved the Leehe farm all his life and was always happy to be on the land.  His dogs were very precious to him and he came to care for his cats very much.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Karen; his brother and sister-in-law, Allen (Mary Ann) Sather of Kenosha, two brothers-in-law, Douglas Pearce and Thomas Pearce both of Michigan; two nieces and four nephews and an entire horde of cats who really miss him.

Due to Covid-19, A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2021.

Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhomc.com

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elmwood is serving the family.

Condolences

1. Cindy Leehe Dessert April 1, 2021, at 4:01pm

   To all who knew Jeff, my cousin, my protector in life, you knew the most amazing, kind, caring, deep person in this world. Jeff you are missed, loved more than you knew. To Karen, your loss is shared. Our visit there was made so much more special because of you and Jeff. Love, Cindy (and Cassidy and Shaina)

2. JAMES HAZLETT December 13, 2020, at 9:45am

   Many and many years ago,
   In a town by an inland sea,
   There lived a gentleman whom you may know
   By the name of Jeffrey Leehe;
   This gentleman lived with no other thought
   Than to work hard, give love, and be free.

   I was but a boy, and he but a boy,
   In this Belle City by the sea.
   But our friendship it grew, and good sense often flew,
   Me and my buddy Jeff Leehe.
   So that others might exclaim, with shock and disdain,
   "How did they continue to be?"

   So without plan or reason, a long time ago,
   From this city by the sea,
   We parted our ways to seek better days,
   I and my dear friend Jeff Leehe..
   "The trades" called upon him, and he answered the call,
   To repaint America,
   Creating beauty for all.

   Three decades passed, life's events amassed,
   Trying to be what we dreamed of to be.
   But Jeff never forgot, and I often thought,
   "What happened to my dear friend Jeff Leehe?"
   Until a class reunion, afresh from the years,
   Called us again to come to the city by the inland sea.

   Seeing Jeff was a gas, like no time had passed,
   We reconnected in a moment's glee.
   He shared his full life, and words of his wonderful wife,
   Sweet lady, Karen Jane Leehe.
   His invitations were clear, and very sincere,
   "Come join me by my Lookout Oak Tree"

   Soon came a season, in the month of May,
   That I chanced to accept Jeff's plea.
   I packed up my tent, and soon I just went,
   To the awesome Lookout that was named "Leehe's".
   Never could I have anticipated such a beautiful site!
   To awake and look out on the richness of Spring Valley,
   So the cast it was set, I would return as soon as I might.

   As each Spring came anew, I dreamed to renew,
   The private pleasure of seeing Jeff's enchanted glen,
   To fall asleep in the haze, as the sun set ablaze,
   The vantage from Leehe's Lookout mountain
   But most was the joy, of being with the young boy
   Who was the steward of this land to sustain.

   His pride in his land was humble and intense
   He knew every branch, weed, bird, bear, and twig
   Jeff made friends with the squirrels that planted walnuts
   No longer replanting the nuts they often would dig
   So the wealth of the land, was firmly in his hand,
   Building a shrine to the family harvester thingamajig

   Seasons came and passed, as we would make plans that fell through,
   To again rekindle our friendships on Leehe's Lookout.
   Twenty-nineteen was a bust, with conflicts, floods, and such
   And twenty-twenty came with the pandemic fallout.
   But as autumnal winds blew, I couldn't but help to wish for our crew
   That would party in the richness of Leehe's Lookout
   To again share old memories, sing our old songs, and make memories anew.

   So now, in our sixty-fifth year, with yet another season come and gone,
   Jeff will no longer make ribs on the Spring Valley lawn,
   I can't help but wonder, after all of these years,
   That he's not still on the Lookout, sucking some beers
   Telling some old stories, and eating corn and brats,
   Helping me setup my pesky old cots.

   Many and many years ago,
   In a town by an inland sea,
   There lived a gentleman whom you may know
   By the name of Jeffrey Leehe;
   This gentleman lived with no other thought
   Than to work hard, give love, and be free.

3. James Psiones November 22, 2020, at 11:45am

   Haven’t seen you in year Jeff but we have communicated through social media in recent years. All way thought highly of you and was impressed with your story. Rest In Peace! The way you respect life is to live it and you did.

4. Bonnie Bouchard November 22, 2020, at 8:27am

   Karen I’m so sorry for your loss he was a great guy.So thoughtful , caring and very sweet man. My condolences on you and family!

5. Dave & Val Nelson November 20, 2020, at 12:33pm

   So sorry to hear of your loss. Jeff was such a nice man and he will be missed by all who knew him. Our deepest sympathy to you.

6. Dutch Elbe November 19, 2020, at 6:05pm

   Although I never really knew Jeff, well I would see him from time to time. But I would always wave or ask how he was. He was an extremely well liked and respected guy. Taken too earily in life. My condolences go out.

7. Kimberly Hofacker November 14, 2020, at 5:21pm

   To the Leehe family, our sincerest sympathy for the sudden and unexpected loss of Jeff. I do not know of a kinder man. He was a good friend to my father Jerome Hofacker and to my brother Larry. We pray that your family will be at peace knowing Jeff was thought of so highly by so many who had the pleasure of knowing him. With deepest sympathy, Kim Hofacker and Jim Messerschmidt

8. Marilyn Fedderly November 12, 2020, at 10:17am

   So sorry for your loss of your husband Karen! Former Co-worker (Bank Mutual) Marilyn

9. Dan and Jan Schuler November 11, 2020, at 8:31pm

   Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss. Jeff was a great guy.

10. Margery Robole Ginsbach November 11, 2020, at 12:37pm

    Karen, We are so sorry to hear that Jeff passed away, he was very well liked and a friend to all. We extend our deepest sympathy to you and the family.

11. Dean and Linda Rambo November 11, 2020, at 12:34pm

    We are thinking of you each day. Jeff was an important part of our lives and loved by so many. Numerous memories of times shared are held close.

12. Jayne & Jerry Holt November 11, 2020, at 12:02pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

13. Dean and Linda Rambo November 11, 2020, at 12:01pm

    We are thinking of you each day. Jeff was an important part of our lives and loved by many. Numerous memories of times shared are held close.

14. Vicki Tiseth November 11, 2020, at 10:00am

    I am sorry you are grieving. Jeff and I shared a love for Newfies - I am sure he is receiving lots of doggy love in Heaven and catching up with all of our forefathers.
    May you find some comfort in that knowledge during this difficult time.
    Many blessings,
    Vicki Leehe Tiseth

15. kathi jensen November 11, 2020, at 9:44am

    My deepest sympathy. Jeff was such a nice guy.

16. Jeff Bock November 11, 2020, at 2:02am

    My sympathies to the Leehe Family. Jeff was a good person.

17. Barb Helland November 10, 2020, at 5:59pm

    Jeff will be missed. He had become a good friend. Sympathy to you Karen and don't hesitate to call us at the exchange if we can be of any assistance.

18. Sandra Hinzman- Scott and Angie Hunter November 10, 2020, at 2:35pm

    Karen-
    Jeff will be missed a great deal - great person who would do anything for anyone - Now he is at rest with Robert , Pat and His Dogs-

19. Robert Gary Freiberg November 10, 2020, at 2:30pm

    Jeff will be missed by so many. I first met him when he was about 4 months old. Stayed with him in Racine when his mom had to visit Allen in the hospital. He was always special to me. Wishing you God's Peace. Love and Hugs to you.

View More Posts ( # )