Kay Carol Leslie

Kay Carol (Renbarger) Leslie

1938 – 2026

Kay was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on December 18, 1938, and grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan. After graduating from Benton Harbor High School, she attended Ferris State College where she met her husband, Howard. They married on December 20, 1958, and began their married life in Algonac, Michigan. They had their three children there and in 1966 they moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Aside from a one year move to Maryland, Kay spent the remainder of her life in Kenosha until moving to assisted living in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin. Following a rapid decline, Kay passed away on September 19th.

But the above list is merely facts. They tell nothing of Kay’s personality or passions. Growing up, she was very much a tomboy despite her mother’s efforts. She played football with the neighborhood boys, climbed trees, and in general played outside as much as possible. She was also the neighborhood chatterbox getting and telling all the gossip to the neighbors. The talkative nature never changed. Kay also loved to travel. She visited almost every state throughout her life from childhood through adulthood and also went to Germany twice and went on several cruises. Sedentary activities were not for Kay! She was always up for an adventure.

Kay loved children and spent many years working at Head Start and Wilson Elementary until she retired in 2000. Even years later, she would run into – now adult – children she mentored, and they would always hug her and tell her how positively she affected their lives. She loved knowing she had made a difference to so many people. Kay genuinely cared about people and would always find someone (or a lot of some-ones) to talk to. That was a common theme throughout her life and her laughter is something we will miss.

Kay is survived by her three children - Kevin (Kris), Kent, and Keri (Jim) Bieniek; six grandchildren – Miriam Leslie and her husband Keith Baltozer, Michael (Danielle) Leslie, Andy (Alayna) Leslie, Lauren Leslie, Caitlin Bieniek, and Sydney Bieniek; and four great-grandchildren - AJ Williams, Felicity Leslie, Henrietta Baltozer, and Nora Leslie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Renbarger and numerous extended family and friends.

Kay is preceded in death by her Husband, Howard; her parents, Vachel and Dorothy Renbarger; brother, Bill Renbarger; brother-in-law Homer Leslie and his wife Mary Ellen; and sister-in-law Ginny (Leslie) Hamilton and her husband Tom.

The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the staff of Harvest Home and St. Croix Hospice for the fabulous and compassionate care Kay received in the four years she lived there. We never had to worry about how she was treated.

A memorial gathering will be held at Kenosha Funeral Services on October 17, 2026, from 9:00AM-11:00AM with memorial services to follow immediately at 11:00AM.

As a tribute to Kay, we would like you to wear blue to her memorial. Blue was Kay’s signature color.

Kenosha Funeral Services & Crematory

8226-Sheridan Rd.

Kenosha, WI 53143

(262) 652-1943

www.kenosha-funeral-services.com