Evelyn Lena Leitz, age 96 of Rochester passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon with family by her side.

Evelyn was born on December 13, 1915 in Plainview to Charles and Amanda Streich.  The majority of Evelyn's life was growing up in Rochester with her brother Sylvester and sister Goldie.

Evelyn married John Skelly in Rochester and they raised five sons, Lenard (Betty) from Potsdam; Robert of Hammond; James (Marlene) of Arlington, Arizona; Richard of Buckey, Arizona and Edward who passed away peacefully in his mother's arms after a brief illness.  Five daughters were also born into the family, Patricia Laqua and  JoAnn Bale of Mazeppa ; Beverly Overton of Winona; Sharon of Minneapolis and Pamela (Cameron) Helder of Pine Island, MN.  Evelyn and John were later divorced; John passed away in 1991.  On November 2, 1955 she married Vernon Leitz  and they had a son Vernan (Dawn) of Rochester.

Evelyn worked many years as a waitress and she spent over twenty years working for Waters Instruments retiring in 1978.

Evelyn loved cooking, gardening, sewing but most of all fishing.  Vernan and Evelyn had a season home in Lake City for many years, entertaining friends and family.  Many stories of the olden days and tall tales of fishing were told around the table.  Evelyn was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester.

Evelyn also is survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and great great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her brother and sister, two sons and two daughters.

The family is eternally grateful for the loving skilled and compassionate care Evelyn received at Samaritan Bethany Home on 8 ^th .

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday January 21, 2012 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. James Heining officiating.  The visitation will be from 11:00am until the time of service at the church.  Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Samaritan Bethany Home on 8 ^th .

Online condolences are welcome at www.MackenFuneralHome.com