Funeral services for 29-year old Kaitlin “Kaitie” Leising of New Richmond, WI, and formerly of Chadron, NE, are Friday at noon at Hudson High School in Hudson, WI.
The service will be streamed at www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com
Visitation will precede the service from 9-till-noon, also at Hudson High School.
Online condolences may be left at www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund at NLEOMF.org
Kaitlin “Kaitie” R Leising, lovingly nicknamed Bug, was born on January 10, 1994 in Scottsbluff, NE, to Roger and Kristine (Hansen) Stevens. She died unexpectedly and tragically on May 6, 2023 while in the line of duty as a St Croix, WI, Deputy Sheriff.
Kaitie was part of the golf team at Chadron High School before graduating in 2012, and then went on to Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree and played golf.
Kaitie had such a love for people, especially children who always seemed to gravitate towards her. She was always willing and eager to help others around her, even taking a special interest as a teenager to her peers that were less fortunate than her.
From a young age, Kaitie knew she wanted to go into law enforcement and began her career after college. Following graduation from the police academy, she immediately excelled at police work, first serving with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office in Rapid City, SD, and then with the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office in Hudson, WI.
Kaitie was a doer – if anything needed to be done, she was there (with the exception of cooking or the dishes at home!). She will be remembered as small, but feisty
On October 7, 2017, she was united in marriage to her best friend, Courtney Leising, and the two were blessed with their son, Syler in early 2023.
In her free time, Kaitie loved reading, puzzles, and spending time outdoors camping, hiking, kayaking, waterskiing, and playing basketball.
She relished in time spent on all things Harry Potter, watching crime shows, and cheering on the Denver Broncos (despite it putting strain on her marriage with her Packer-loving wife!).
Above everything, her greatest passion was her family – spending time with her wife, Courtney, and her son Syler, who was her everything.
She had an amazing sparkle for life, always making others around her smile and laugh. Her humor was infectious, her laugh contagious, and her loyalty for those she loved most unwavering and steadfast. To those who knew her most, she was oh so much more.
Kaitie is survived by her wife Courtney; son Syler; parents Kris & Roger Stevens; sister Jordyn (Tom) Stevens; Julie Hawkinson (grandma); in-laws Beth & Dave Brehm; sisters-in-law Morgan (Bradley) and Brittany Leising; dogs Miller and Ranger; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and special friends Jenifer and John Paul.
She was preceded in death by her grandmothers Sandie and Dorothy; grandpa Dan; and special friend Zack.
The O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI, is in charge of arrangements for Kaitie Leising.