How blessed we were as children to have such a fun bunch of cousins, aunts and uncles!  I was born the same year as Leslie and Joe Henry, and many younger cousins followed after us. Leslie was someone we all loved and looked up to. I remember a particular Christmas when we went snow sledding and played basketball at a gymnasium. Leslie was such a hero to the younger boys, and such a handsome cousin for all the girls to swoon over! Such fond memories of Leslie will be with us forever. Sending my love and condolences to Patty, Bill, and their family.
Janiece 

When i was a young lad i joined my father, Abe Ediger, and his sister, Adina Schmidt, along with cousins Jim and John, Adina’s youngest boys, on a trip back east. We stopped in at Ed and Lindas who then joined us on our trip in what then became a very full VW van. But it was at Ed’s that i met Leslie and was immediately taken by his character. He showed me an old harley he had stored in the barn…. I fell in love with that old bike immediately; the beginning of many years of m/c love that remains to this day. I didnt have much chance to spend with Leslie, but he was one of the giants in my childhood memories.  

I always will remember Les as a kind and adventurous soul.  May God bless him.

Mike & Chris Robinson

Growing up I spent a considerable amount of time visiting with Leslie.  It was always a treat when mother and I would visit the Willems because it gave me the opportunity to play with Leslie and Patty.  They were more like brother and sister to me than cousins and I have so many wonderful memories of them.  Some of my fondest memories were helping Leslie do chores around the farm.  Leslie and I would help his father Ed clean out the chicken coop and plow the wheat fields after harvest.  Leslie would drive their Ford 8N tractor and since I was older, I drove their big Farmall W-9.  Leslie was always in front of me and since the Farmall was faster I probably got closer than I should have and I remember him periodically looking around to make sure I wasn't going to run over him.  Then there were the times we went swimming in the creek near their farm and shared the water with water moccasin snakes.  Time spent with Leslie was always adventurous and quality time.  I miss him. 

Leslie was more than just a cousin to me.  He was a person I truly loved.  He arrived here on earth three days after I was born and we immediately became soul mates.  My first memory of him was at the age of two when our moms put us in the bathtub together.  I remember both of us laughing our hearts out as bubbles, water, and a rubber duck flew around the bathroom.  This was the first of many wild experiences we had together.  

Leslie repeatedly got us into trouble and yet I would always go along with his next scheme.  He had a huge appetite for adventure and I could never resist joining in on the good times.   When I was with Leslie, I watched and learned.  He was just too large for this world.
 

As a young child I looked up to Leslie.  Our family would drive down to visit the Willems and we always had a wonderful time.  There were so many things to do on their farm and Leslie had plenty of projects going on to keep us busy.  Leslie had a beautiful smile and a shining light in his eyes that I will never forget.  

What a creative soul he was! It was always fun to be around Leslie and Patty during our Ediger cousin get-togethers. Another family member now joins heaven's table. My prayers are with you all.

OBITUARY

Leslie J. Willems

February 10, 1948 – November 26, 2022

Resthaven Mortuary & Gardens of Memory

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