Leslein, Ann M.

Ann M. Leslein, 95, of Anamosa, formerly of 1877 Garfield Ave., Dubuque, passed away peacefully in her sleep Sept. 2, 2013, at 8:20 a.m. at Silvercrest of Anamosa. Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dubuque. Monsignor Wayne Ressler will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Dubuque. Family and friends may call Friday, Sept. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 5 p.m.

Ann was born Nov. 5, 1917, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Sam and Josephine (Lucido) Alba. She married Elmer W. Leslein on April 28, 1946, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dubuque. He preceded her in death on March 3, 2005.

She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1936. She was employed as a secretary at Perfection Oil Co. for five years. During World War II, she was employed as secretary to the purchasing agent at Free-New Home Sewing Machine Co., Rockford, Ill. After returning to Dubuque, she was employed as a clerk at her brother's grocery store (Alba's Grocery on Jackson Street.) For many years she was a member of the Holy Trinity Choir and a former Eucharistic Minister. She was a member of Holy Trinity's Altar & Rosary Society and St. Jane's Catholic Mothers Study Club.

She was a wonderful, sweet, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She was the best! She enjoyed being with all her family, relatives and friends. She and Elmer hosted many family holiday parties at their home over the years. She loved music, ballet, dancing, photography, and all sports.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, JoAnn (Patrick) Callahan of Anamosa; a grandson, Dan (Debra) Callahan of Marion; two granddaughters, Beth (Jim) Waterman of Anamosa and Sarah (Mike) Hora of Marion; six great-grandchildren, Claire and Cooper Callahan, Will Pape, Rachel and Shannon Hora and Emelia Ann Waterman; two sisters, Virginia Fessler of Doylestown, Pa., and Rose Marie Alba of Dubuque; one sister-in-law, Joyce Alba of Orion, Ill.; and many very special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Leslein; her parents, Sam and Josephine Alba; two brothers, Cruso (Marion) Alba and Sam Alba Jr.; two sisters, Marie (Joe) Licari and Josephine Roling; and a brother-in-law, Raymond Fessler.

In lieu of flowers, an Ann M. Leslein memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published Sept. 5, 2013 in The Gazette