Verna J. Lese

Verna J. Lese, 78, of Fond du Lac, died Thursday, January 29, 2026 at St. Agnes Hospital. She was born February 23, 1947 in Milwaukee, the daughter of Lavern and Jean (Baker) Kibler. Verna was raised by Robert and Martha (Hoffman) Schmitz on the farm at Horseshoe Springs.

Verna graduated from L.P. Goodrich High School in 1965. In 1975, she earned her LPN degree from Moraine Park Technical College. She later went on to earn her Bachelor of Health Science from Marian College. Verna started her nursing career as an LPN and then a RN at St. Agnes Hospital. She finished her nursing career working 18 years for the Department of Corrections with Taycheedah Correctional and Dodge Correctional, where she retired in 2009.

Verna had great joy watching her grandchildren's sporting events and was an avid Wisconsin sports fan. She also looked forward every year to the NCAA tournament, especially watching the Duke Blue Devils. Trips to the casino and visiting her local stores for her lottery tickets was one of her favorite activities. Verna had a big heart and always wanted to give to those in need. From a young age, she had a love of horses with the Kentucky Derby being one of her favorite events. Throughout the years, Verna welcomed multiple pets into her home.

She is survived by her five children, Kim (Cameron) Stewart, Kristin (Jim) Ruch, Jeff (Gina) Lese, Jackie (Rory) Lorbach, and Kurt (Marion Martin) Lese; nine grandchildren, Katie (Gable) Gwinn, Courtney Stewart, Jessica (Bryce) Bartelt, Marcus (Molly) Ruch, Gracie Lese, Hattie Lese, Mitchell Lorbach, Mahri Lorbach, and Ashley Lorbach; three great grandchildren, Maisie Gwinn, Rowan Gwinn, Micah Ruch and another great grandchild expected any day; her ex-husband Thomas “TL” Lese; her siblings, Tom (Karyn) Schmitz, Jim (Jerilyn) Schmitz, and Rob (Eileen) Schmitz; sisters-in-law Janice (Tom) Mc Gauley and Joan Schmitz and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and Robert and Martha Schmitz, and siblings, Joe (Millie) Schmitz, D. Michael Schmitz, John Schmitz, and Carol (Tom) Klamrowski.

At Verna’s request, cremation has taken place and private services will be held at a later date.

Her family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at SSM Health and SSM Health Hospice Care for making her comfortable in her last days.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com