Leanne Marie Baumgartner

Leanne Marie Baumgartner passed away on Saturday, September 10th at Gundersen Health System with family and friends by her side. She was born on October 30th, 1951 to Leo and Noreen Baumgartner of La Crosse.
Leanne was a woman who truly loved life and lived each day to the fullest. She had a love for nature and the outdoors. Besides sharing her lovely smile, Leanne used flowers to make the world a more beautiful place. Her life was full of color. She always took time to stop and smell the flowers. Leanne loved watching birds and listening to their unique songs. She enjoyed kayaking, white water rafting, walks through the park, sitting by the river, and campfires with family. Although she loved being outdoors, one of her favorite past times was shopping. Whether it was for clothes, shoes, flowers, or gifts for others she loved to shop, shop, shop.
Leanne was always more concerned about other people's well-being and happiness than her own. She was always there to lend a helping hand, listening ear, or kind smile when needed. Leanne left glitter everywhere she went, whether it be the actual sparkles she loved so much or the sparkle in the eyes of the people whose lives she touched. She was a fabulous hostess, providing a bounty of food and endless laughs to all who entered her home.
Leanne loved to travel, meet new people, share in their lives, and explore their culture. She was Irish by blood and also at heart. Leanne always enjoyed listening to Irish music and singing along with family and friends. She traveled to Ireland numerous times, making an everlasting impact on the local people, some of who became lifelong friends. Leanne also inspired her family and friends to travel the world and share in her heritage.
Leanne's most prized possession was her family. She raised two wonderful sons who she loved dearly and was incredibly proud of: Matt (Nicky) Kuecker of Eugene, OR and Mike (Nicole) Kuecker of La Crosse. She was blessed with four wonderful grandchildren who proudly called her Nana: Ian, Logan, Amelia, and Nathan. Leanne loved her grandchildren more than anything in the world. She was also a loving sister and made many wonderful memories with her siblings: Patty Baumgartner of La Crosse, Larry (Paulette) Baumgartner of Menominee, and Bill (Linda) Baumgartner of Chetek. She was known as "Aunt Leanne" by her nieces and nephews: Cait, Mariah, Alex, Becca, and Brad. Not only did her actual nieces and nephews call her "Aunt Leanne", but she was so loving that so did many of their friends. Leanne was loved by all who knew her and many close friends became family to her. She left an everlasting impact on many lives and will be dearly missed.
Leanne was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Noreen Baumgartner.
A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Christ Episcopal Church located at 111 9th St. N, La Crosse with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Rev. Patrick Augustine will officiate. The family requests that guests wear bright colors to the services in memory of Leanne. Leanne has requested that donations be made in her name to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and local food pantries.