Leila Shenk

LEILA SHIRLEY SHENK

MADISON–Leila Shirley (Hasheider) Shenk, 78, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of February 18, 2026. Leila was born on July 25, 1947 at Methodist Hospital in Madison, WI to Howard and Shirley (Bass) Hasheider. The oldest sibling of six, she grew up on a dairy farm outside of Sauk City, WI, in the Township of Honey Creek, in a farmhouse built by her paternal grandfather. During her youth, Leila was very active in 4-H, competing in clothing and showing animals, as well as playing her clarinet in the high school marching band. Starting out in a one-room schoolhouse, she then graduated from the newly merged Sauk-Prairie High School in 1965.

Leila attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison and graduated with a degree in Home Economics. It was during her studies at the university, through the church community of the Evangelical United Brethren, that she met her husband, Jerry Shenk. Leila and Jerry married on June 7, 1969, and they shared their life together until Jerry’s passing in 2017.

Leila taught home economics from 1969-1971 for the Richland Public Schools in Richland Center, WI until she moved to Madison. She then worked for the University of Wisconsin-Continuing Education Extension, primarily in the Dean’s office, for 39 years until her retirement in 2010.

Leila was an active member of the Madison Mennonite community for over 35 years, where she served as an archivist and was a member of many committees and groups, among them the Movie Group, the Bible Reading Book Group, and one of her favorites, the Singing Group. Leila loved putting together jigsaw puzzles, reading (especially Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen), going to see operas and movies, and getting a raspberry shake and Butter Burger at Culver’s. She also enjoyed following politics, reading comics, and laughing with Jerry.

Leila is survived by her daughters: Alita (Kevin Gregorius) and Reade; her siblings: Ilene (Dale) LaCount, Neal (Vicky) Hasheider, Phil (Mary) Hasheider, Bruce Hasheider, Edie (Craig) Vitale; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Shirley (Bass) Hasheider, her husband Jerry Shenk (2017), her mother and father-in-law Eunice (Breneman) and Bruce Rumble, her nephew David Hasheider, and her brother-in-law Russ Helbig.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association, Attic Angel, or the Madison Mennonite Church.

A memorial service celebrating Leila’s life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 10:00 am at Madison Mennonite Church, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI. There will also be a Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person.

Leila’s family would like to thank Attic Angel and Agrace Hospice Care for all they did for Leila, as well as Pastor Valerie Showalter and the Madison Mennonite Community for their love and support.

Please share your memories in Leila's online guestbook.

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