Obituary: Leon “Lee” Curtis Sleiter

Nov. 14, 1952 – March 29, 2024

Leon “Lee” Curtis Sleiter, 71 of Sturgeon Bay, went to his eternal home on March 29, 2024. Lee was born on November 14, 1952, to Richard and Joyce Sleiter in Ashland, WI. As a young child he moved to Sturgeon Bay where he loved to play baseball, run through the sanctuary of the church his father pastored, and bike around town with his brothers and friends.

Lee attended and graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville, Minnesota and later went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with degrees in finance and speech. He moved to Sheboygan, where he met and married Georgia Marie Jensen in 1985. They enjoyed 12 years together before her passing. Lee married Rhonda Louise Lehman in 1999. They successfully navigated blending their families and cherished almost 25 years together. 

He had a variety of jobs including working as a radio DJ doing football and basketball play-by-play as well as hosting his own morning show under the moniker “Lee Curtis.” Lee worked at Pemco Inc. for more than 37 years where he began as cost accountant and ended as President/CEO. In his role at Pemco, he enjoyed encouraging his employees and took pride in their success as a team. In his later working years, he and Rhonda partnered to run her dental practice.  

Lee loved playing golf, watching all sporting events on TV (especially the Green Bay Packers), hiking, traveling, cleaning his garage, attending various sporting events for his children, breakfast, raising the American flag on Memorial Day, Gosse’s steak sandwiches, and conversations with friends. He enjoyed the simple joys in life and was content when he was with the people he cared about.

Lee, along with Rhonda, started an annual family tradition in 2016 called The Bay Games, taking place July 4th and consisting of yard games, water balloon fights, trivia, and countless memories. Lee took his role as emcee very seriously as he announced the name of each grandchild with a megaphone before starting the games. Lee would say his most rewarding job was raising his family. He loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren and was very proud of his legacy.

He was an active member of the Evangelical Free Church in Sheboygan, for many years where he served as an elder, Sunday school teacher, and small group leader. In retirement, Lee and Rhonda later attended Summit Church (Naples, Florida) and Sturgeon Bay Community Church where they developed many life-long friendships.

Lee was diagnosed with ALS in 2018 and he navigated this disease with incredible strength, faith, wittiness, and encouragement for others. Even in his lowest and most difficult times, he was praying for and encouraging those around him. His regular newsletters made their way into hundreds of inboxes each month. Through them he shared details of his journey, words of wisdom, plenty of dad jokes, and reflections on his faith. Lee was selflessly cared for throughout his illness by his loving wife, Rhonda. He took great comfort in the promises listed in scripture. A favorite verse was Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As a family, we rejoice in knowing he is free from his earthly suffering and safe in the arms of his savior Jesus Christ.

Lee is survived by his wife, Rhonda; five children, Elizabeth (Grant) Trimble, Overland Park, Kansas; Stephanie (Paul) Meeusen, Cedar Grove, Wisconsin; Andrew Robinson (Michelle), Green Bay; Whitney (Ryan) Lien, Dousman, Wisconsin; and Eric (Daniela) Robinson, Burnsville, Minnesota; nine grandchildren: Henry, Charlie, Georgia, Frances, Ruby, Miriam, Amarion, Arlo, and Estella; two brothers, Ron (Francine) Sleiter, Wayzata, Minnesota and Jay (Cathy) Sleiter, Stillwater, Minnesota; parents-in-law Ron and Mary Ann Lehman, Channahon, Illinois, and other in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Georgia Marie.

A service to celebrate Lee’s life will take place at 12 pm Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Sturgeon Bay Community Church with Pastor Jeremiah Taylor officiating. A private burial will be held at Bayside Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10 am until the time of service. Forbes Funeral Home is serving the family. 

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the medical staff who cared for Lee from Aurora BayCare, Door County Medical, Ascension Home Health, and Home Instead.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oostburg Christian School (https://www.oostburgchristian.com/get-involved/donate-now.cfm). 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7