Therese Jans Leshock

Therese was born on August 8, 1927, in Evanston, Illinois, the 7th child of twelve. Daughter of loving parents Peter N. Jans, former Evanston alderman and golf professional, and Mary Sarah Burns. A graduate of the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in 1948, she met her husband, Dr. Joseph Leshock of Shamokin, Pa, at the hospital. They were married in 1951.

Therese and Joseph relocated to East Lansing in 1954 at the request of Father Jerome MacEachin, the charismatic pastor of the Catholic Church in East Lansing. Therese and Joseph raised nine children during their 59 years of marriage. She initially worked as a nurse in her husband’s medical practice, and subsequently volunteered at St. Thomas Aquinas school, where their children were educated.

Her care and concern for the less fortunate was exemplified by her missionary work in Guatemala for Holidays for Humanity, and as a volunteer member of the St. Lawrence Medical Auxiliary. Therese was a dedicated Catholic, attended daily mass, a strong advocate for Right to Life, and a Prayer Warrior for several prayer groups. While she followed in her father’s footsteps and enjoyed the game of golf, she spent the vast majority of her time as a tireless advocate for her nine children.

Therese was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church for 56 years. Services are planned for visitation Wednesday evening, Oct. 27 from 5 to 8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, with a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday Oct. 28 at 11 am, with the Rev. Mark Inglot and Rev. Joseph Weber as concelebrants at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, will be preceded by one of hour of visitation. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lansing.

Therese is survived by her loving husband Joseph, by seven of her children, Mary Anita (Tom) Naab of Brighton, Richard Leshock of Winston-Salem, NC, Joseph Leshock of St. Paul, MN, David (Jennifer) Leshock of Grand Blanc, Maureen (Tom) Leshock Petersen of Zionsville, IN, Christopher (Susan) Leshock of Naperville, IL, and Kathleen Leshock of Houston, TX, and by her sisters Mary Anita Jans Paul, Rita Jans Kent, Patricia Jans Doll, Rosemary Jans Sheahen, Joanne Jans Lewis, and Carol Jans Dierbeck. Also surviving are her sixteen grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Mary Sarah, sister Virginia Jans Frank, and brothers Robert Jans, John Jans, Peter Jans, and Francis Jans, and children John Francis Leshock and Therese Carol Leshock.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, the St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School Adopt-A-Student program, c/o the church, or a charity of your choice in Therese’s name.