| Graduation Year | Class of 1985 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 04, 2008 |
| About | eeann 'Lee' B. Heikkinen Leeann "Lee" B. Heikkinen died Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, after a fierce fight with cancer at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was born Dec. 20, 1966, at St. Mary's Hospital in Wausau to Irene Heikkinen. She is survived by her mother, Irene Heikkinen; and four beloved sons, Paris (Megan Roth) Wanta, Sterling Wanta, Soren Wanta and Riley Heikkinen; and a friend, James "Jim" Waiter. She is also survived by her two fathers, Michael Beltz and Joseph Hartill; her uncle and aunt, Dallas and Kathy Heikkinen, and their son Daemon; her uncle and aunt, James and Betty Heikkinen; aunt Cindy Beltz and her children, Laura, Larry and Libby and their children; and her former husband, Tim Wanta; her former mother-in-law, Angie Degner; and her former father-in-law, George (Marlene) Wanta. She is further survived by close friends, Gerald "Jay" Koplitz, Jan Gore, Jan Lunkos, Tim Bird, Barb Bird, Barb Blaha; and many, many other friends that Lee has touched. Many of her son's friends were like her own children -- these are Matt Burish, Jesse (Laura) Modrzewski and their daughter, McKenzie, Sean Karpinski, Brendon McDonnell, Joshua Yang, Michael Daniels, and many, many others. She is also survived by Riley's half-brothers, Brad and Lance. She was preceded in death by Roger Garski (Riley's father); her grandparents, Waco and Elvera Heikkinen and Laurence and Jean Beltz; and her uncle, Peter Beltz. Lee gave 110 percent to all of the jobs she had and her personality, smile and laugh made these places warmer and more enjoyable to be at -- whether it was working at Kwik Trip, Pizza Hut, Tony Romas, Eastbay or Wisconsin Physician Services (WPS). Lee was a supervisor in the call center at Eastbay for more than seven years. Lee also worked as a claims adjuster at Wisconsin Physicians Services. Aside from her love and devotion to her children, Lee has a tremendous love for her cats, the ones that passed before her -- Mauer, Lowell, Sly, Newton and Ming -- and the cats that survived her -- Inky, Mouse, Oliver and Beasty. Books, music, reality TV, movies, drives and fine dining were some of the other things Lee enjoyed. Funeral services will be at noon Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Brainard Funeral Home-Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. The Rev. David Mahler will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 8, 2008, and again from 11 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday, at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the Aspirus UW Cancer Center, especially Dr. Barton and Dr. Ahuja, and Leeann's nurses, Ann and Mary, not for just medical care but emotional support as well. Further thanks to the staff of Aspirus Wausau Hospital, which include the nurses and CNAs, for their gentle care of Leeann and the tender mercies shown by Frank, social worker, and Chaplain Bev to Leeann and her family. Also a thank you to the Hospice staff. Online condolences at www.brainardfuneral.com |
