Barbara Jean Leshikar

Barbara Jean Leshikar of Taylor, Texas passed away January 21, 2019 at the age of 95.

Jean was born on April 10, 1923 to Gunner and Hetty Rosendahl in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. At the age of 16, she experienced the outbreak of World War II in England and after completing her formal schooling, she enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) of the Royal British Air Force. She served as a Homing Radar Specialist, guiding bomber planes in for landing. It was during this time that she met Captain Marvin James Leshikar of Taylor, who was stationed in England while serving in the United States Army Air Corps. After the end of WWII, while working at the British Embassy in Denmark, she was persuaded to make the journey to the United States at the behest of Marvin (whom she referred to as Jimmy), where they were joined in matrimony in Williamson County on March 27, 1948. They initially lived in Galveston until Marvin completed medical school in 1951. After a brief move to Temple for his residency, they settled in Taylor. She and Marvin built the family home in 1959 upon a former corn field, where they raised five children and cared for cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and an organic garden. Jean was an avid animal lover, caring for a multitude of creatures over her lifetime. Some were taken in intentionally, but many enjoyed the good fortune of being welcomed into her family after they were found/rescued by her (or occasionally by her family members, whom she had taught/trained well through her example). She pursued undergraduate studies at UT Austin with a focus on philosophy and writing and enjoyed the study of yoga, art and oil painting. She spent a great many years obedience training, competitively showing and breeding her Dalmatians as well as working as an obedience course instructor to many other dog lovers. She had a passion for travel, whether with Marvin, her family or solo with her dogs.

In her mid 50’s, she obtained an Auto Mech certification from Austin Community College where she and a former fighter pilot rebuilt the engine of her daughter’s 1972 Chevy Vega (which continued to run for 18 years) and where she gained the knowledge to aid in her frequent Winnebago travels (she wrote an article about her travels that was published in a travel magazine). She volunteered with various animal shelters and Meals on Wheels and had a passion for gardening. Over the years, she and Marvin loved working in their yard and garden and enjoyed sharing the fruits of their labor with family and friends. Jean’s enduring strength, kind heart, and elegant grace will long be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Peggy Gibson and Inger Rosendahl, son Michael and husband Marvin. She is survived by four daughters: Pamela Krueger and husband Ronald, Peggy Leshikar-Denton and husband Dennis, Nina Marek and husband Edwin, Johanna Hill and husband Reggie; eight grandchildren: Jeff Krueger MD and wife Jo Ellen, Jennifer Doll and husband Christian, Megan Marek DVM, Jason Marek, Anthony Corson and wife Tiffany, Hannah Corson & Cody Moore, Sterling Corson, and James Corson; eight great grandchildren: Jourdan and Ryan Krueger, Jackson and Connor Doll, Everett and Stanley Corson, Raelynn and “baby on the way” Moore; as well as numerous beloved extended family members.

Her life will be celebrated and honored with a family gathering at her home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Marvin J. Leshikar, M.D. Scholarship Fund c/o Taylor Independent School District, 3101 N. Main St., Taylor, Texas 76574, the Alzheimer’s Association, ASPCA or charity of your choice.

Our family would like to extend special thanks to Lupe Ross for her 50+ years of care and service to our mom, to the in-home caregivers without whom she could not have remained in her home for her last three and a half years there, and ultimately to the loving, patient and caring staff at University Village in Round Rock, where she spent her last 16 months along with her dedicated and cherished friend Inez Torres whom she met there. We also thank Valerian Hospice for the guidance and care provided during her final weeks and Providence Funeral Home. We are truly grateful to all.