Florine Leach

Florine (Flo) Leach, age 92 of Coloma, passed away peacefully at Heartland House in Wautoma after a spirited battle with leukemia. She was born the fourth child of six to parents Dana and Blanche (Davis) Monroe in the Township of Coloma, WI.

Florine was a 1942 graduate of Coloma High School. Upon graduation she worked at Speed Queen assembling war time ammunition. She married Donald Nigbor in 1947 and farmed with him until his untimely death in 1952. Later, she married Jay Crego Jr. in 1955. She wed Richard Leach in 1961 and worked side by side with Dick (until his death) at Follett and Leach Implement until retiring. Florine courageously and successfully raised four children as a single mom after the death of Richard in 1967.

Her interests were many and varied including gardening, the beauty of nature, quilting and knitting, as well as extensive travel with friends and family. She was a longtime member of a local bowling league and a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary. By far, her pinnacle of pride and joy was time spent with her family. She was always grateful for the support of family, neighbors and friends and reciprocated that same level of compassion to all who knew her. Her trials made her the parson she became - a beloved and respected Mother, a cherished Grandmother, a prized friend and a valued member of her community. Flo could find the good in anyone, but she didn't hesitate to speak her mind which brought a smile to many a face.

She is survived by three sons, Ronald (Margaret) Nigbor, Coloma; Gary (Kay) Nigbor, Westfield; Dennis (Tani) Crego, Coloma; one daughter, Abigail Leach, Olympia, WA; and two step children, Venden (Charlene) Leach; and Carol (Bill) Anderson, both of Arizona. She has 12 grandchildren, Mary (Steve) Manifold; Thomas (Lisa) Runnels; Michael (Sheryl) Runnels; William (Tara) Runnels; David Runnels; Mandi (Kevin) Cottrell; Joshua (Jennifer) Nigbor; Dana (Caitlyn Groose) Nigbor; Llana Crego; Tressa (Luke) Proctor; Emily (Kurt) McCabe; and Jared Crego. She is further survived by 15 +1 great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include one sister, Irma Reindl, Kewaskum; one brother, Gordon (Joanne) Monroe, Hancock; sisters-in-law, Violet Monroe, Plainfield; Caroline Monroe, Clinton; and Frances Monroe, Beloit; Isabelle Groth, Redgranite; Frances Nigbor, Germantown; Constance Gist, California; Dorothy (nee Crego), Markesan; and brother-in-law, Robert Nigbor, Redgranite. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands (Donald Nigbor, Jay Crego Jr. and Richard Leach), and brothers, Kenneth Monroe, Douglas Monroe, and Norman Monroe; grandson, Eric Nigbor, and many dearly beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

A memorial will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coloma on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. followed by a brief service at 11:00 a.m. Dinner to follow. Interment will be held at a later date. The family requests no flowers.