Elaine Leight

Madison - Elaine F. Leight, age 83, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare, following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Elaine was born on February 6, 1932 to Gustav and Viola (Pankow) Schleif in Chicago, Illinois. After her father died, Elaine moved to Wausau with her mother and brother and sister. She graduated from Wausau High School. After working at a local hospital and graduating from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Wausau in 1953, Elaine decided to join the Air Force Nurses Corp in 1954. Elaine had a passion for being a nurse, and was proud of her career as a flight nurse with the U.S. Air Force. She was a major and invested 13 years in the service, being stationed all over the world. On January 28, 1967, Elaine married Edward P. Leight in Wausau. Together they had a daughter, Jennifer in 1968, and a son, Steven in 1969. Elaine worked for over 20 years at the VA Hospital in Madison. For 18 years of her retirement, Elaine loved interacting with customers as a cashier at Kohl's Department Store. She enjoyed bowling and spending time with her friends, gardening, and traveling the world with her husband. Elaine was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison. Her pride and joy was her family. Elaine is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Steven) Schmidt of Barneveld; son, Steven (Cheryl) Leight of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughter, Samantha Leight of Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Irene Goetsch of Wausau; and brother, Elmer Schleif of Wausau. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward P. Leight. A visitation will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Cress Funeral Home. Memorials in Elaine's name can be made to Sebring Assisted Living, 7710 S. Brookline Drive, Madison, WI 53719; or Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434
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www.cressfuneralservice.com