Leslie Jo Schlesner, 80 of Jefferson, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at AdventHealth Fish Memorial Hospital in Orange City, FL, while visiting her special friend, Don Taylor.

Leslie was born on June 12, 1945, in Richmond, CA, the daughter of Lester and Mattie Lee (Rader) Mikkelsen.  She graduated from Whitewater High School in the early 1960’s.  Leslie worked at Jones Dairy Farm for years, but after an injury, opened a quilting, fabric and sewing store in Fort Atkinson, and later moved the store to Jefferson.  She and her long-time partner, Karl “Cookie” Kochendorfer, also owned a liquor store in Fort.  Later in life, Leslie was involved in Visiting Angels, a wonderful fit for her heart of service.  Leslie is described as having a “Heart of Gold” and was the nicest person anyone would ever want to meet.  She watched children often for family and friends and looked to help wherever she was needed.  She kept in great contact with the people she loved, always calling to check on people’s wellbeing.  Her crafting skills were awesome! She could make something out of anything and she and her friend, Judy Burrow, attended many craft show, both as makers and shoppers.  On Wednesdays, Leslie could be found with the “Wednesday Afternoon Strippers”, a quilting club she loved dearly.  Her heart of service, mental and physical vitality, and wonderful personality maintained her youthfulness, and her family is thankful for the wonderful example she lived and will cherish her memory.

She is survived by: her children Rick (Lisa) Schlesner of Jefferson and Laurie Werner of Helenville; grandchildren Roby(fiancé Megan Albert) Schlesner, Thomas (Sierra) Schlesner, and Kyle Werner; great-granddaughter Kennedy Schlesner; brother Mike (Tami) Mikkelsen of Mesa, AZ,  ; and special friend Don Taylor of Orange City, FL.  Leslie is also survived by a number of other family members and friends.

Leslie is preceded in death by her parents, her son Steven Schlesner in infancy, sister Linda Gregoire, son in law Clyde Werner and “Cookie” Kochendorfer

An Open House will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 5:00PM – 8:00PM at the Olsen-Gibson Funeral Home in Jefferson.