Frances "Fran" Rose (Vnuk) Lessila

Frances Rose "Fran" Lessila of Wauwatosa passed away on Wednesday April 29, 2026, at the age of 92, about 3 weeks shy of her 93rd birthday. She was born May 19, 1933, to Anton and Frances (nee Letko) Vnuk.

Fran went home surrounded by family and friends under the kind care of Zilber Hospice after being under the care of the amazing staff on the 7th floor at Aurora West Allis Medical Center.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Thomas A. Lessila, mother-in-law Lorraine Lessila, uncles Rudy Letko, Paul (Wanda) Letko, sister-in-law Dorothy (Al) Patches, dear friend and sister-in-law Darlene Gonzalez, and brothers-in-law Robert & James.

Fran is survived by her sons Jeffrey (Cynthia) Lessila, Paul (Ann) Lessila and Robert Lessila. She is further survived by her grandchildren Alexander, Lauren & Grace Lessila, Jami (Oliver) Saile, Maggie & Luke Lessila, brothers-in-law William Gonzalez, John Lessila, Timothy (Alice) Lessila, lifelong friend Mary Filo, and numerous nieces, nephews and caring friends and neighbors.

Special thanks to caregivers Marci & Mary who were with her to the end.

Fran was a track star in high school, later an avid bowler and volleyball player. She worked at Pritzlaff Hardware after high school, the telephone company until Jeff was born, then in administration in the Dietetics department at Mount Mary University for 25 years.

Fran was a caring, generous and religious person belonging to many organizations like the Schoenstatt Sisters. She couldn't resist giving to charities. Her faith guided her through her life and she passed it on to her family and many other people being a long time member of Christ King Parish then St. Joseph Parish in Wauwatosa. She loved cats and chocolate, was an amazing cook, loved going out to breakfast and a good Brandy Manhattan (up).  She loved gambling at Potawatomi, taking casino trips, and had season tickets to The Milwaukee Rep. She was a big fan of QVC for many years. She also loved watching the Brewers and Packers on TV with her husband.

Her kindness to others and her love of life will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Visitation will be held for Fran on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 10:30am until the time of the Eulogy at 11:45am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon, all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 West Center Street, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226. Interment next to her husband Thomas will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either St. Joseph Catholic Church (https://www.stjoetosa.com) or HAWS in Waukesha (https://hawspets.org).

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