Diane Leisy

Wonderful Mother and Beloved Wife, Diane Kay Leisy passed away in Wichita, Kansas on June 13, 2021. She was born on July 5, 1942 to Abe Klassen and Margaret Thiessen Klassen Neufeldt in Hutchinson, Kansas. Her father Abe passed away when Diane was only 6 years old. Diane, her mom, and two brothers Lowell and Ronnie lived in Inman until their mother remarried Art Neufeldt, and they moved to his farm near Inman with their new stepbrother Roger Neufeldt. Margaret and Art’s happy blended family soon welcomed the birth of two more children, Diane’s siblings Linda and Michael. Diane graduated from Inman High School in 1960 where she had excelled on the debate team. Always a music lover, she played piano during church services at Hebron, her childhood church. She attended Bethel College for two years where she met Jerry Leisy on the same row at daily chapel. Together they went on to KU, marrying on September 1, 1963 and graduating in 1964. Working as a high school English teacher, Diane supported Jerry through his time at KU Medical School. After graduation, they moved to Tacoma Washington where their daughter Susanne was born, and then on to the Presidio in San Francisco. Jerry and Diane’s next stop was Stuttgart Germany where Diane again taught English and gave birth to their daughter Aimee. They returned to Wichita in 1974 where their third daughter Elizabeth would be born. During her years in Wichita, she enjoyed extended family, friends, travel, symphony, opera, skiing, and entertaining. As a Francophile, she studied French, hosted many French exchange students over the years, and met regularly with her “Les Amies”, circle of friends. Together, Jerry and Diane traveled widely, returning often to their favorite destinations of France and Germany. Diane was involved in many organizations including: PEO, Alliance Française, Designing Women, Sister Cities, and the Wichita Symphony. Diane attended Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church for many years before becoming a member of University Congregational Church where she served on the music board and hosted music scholarship students. Diane had many, many close friendships and created a loving and joyful home for her family. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jerry; daughter Susanne (Laurence) of Denver, Colorado; daughter Aimee; grandson Oliver of Wichita, Kansas; daughter Elizabeth (Peter); granddaughter Helena and grandson Henry of Brooklyn, New York; brother Lowell Klassen of Wichita, Kansas; brother Ronald Klassen of Westlake Village, California; brother Roger Neufeldt of Norman, Oklahoma and brother Michael Neufeldt of Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Friday, June 25, 2021, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. A funeral service will be held at University Congregational Church in Wichita on June 26, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the UCC Music Student Scholarship Fund, 9209 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS 67226. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.