Verona, Wisconsin — Leah Nett, age 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at UW Hospital after a massive stroke. Born November 16, 1940, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Shirley (Walton) Juse and Donald Juse, Leah moved through life with a blend of creativity, spontaneity, and tender-hearted mischief that made her unforgettable.

Raised in the Fox River Valley, Leah attended secretarial school and spent her early adulthood exploring a variety of jobs—some practical, some impulsive, all entirely true to her nature. After years of unofficially doing friends’ and family members’ hair (often on short notice and occasionally with bold results), she enrolled in cosmetology school at age 50. It was a perfect match. She spent many years as a stylist, perfectly in her element: scissors in hand, laughter in the air.

Leah adored her family fiercely, especially her grandchildren. She spent countless hours with them and served as childcare provider for her eldest daughter’s children, a role she took on with devotion and joy. Later, she worked in in-home care supporting people with disabilities and became a strong advocate for those she served—compassion was one of the constants in her life.

Creativity was another. Leah had an unfiltered joy in making things simply for the pleasure of creating: elaborate snow creatures in winter, colorful art pieces in summer, and kitchen experiments year-round. Her culinary creations often looked like they belonged on a magazine cover… and occasionally tasted like the magazine itself. She embraced all of it with enthusiasm.

She also had a soft spot for animals. Over the years she cared for a select but memorable parade of pets, each one doted on and loved. Her home wasn’t a menagerie, but it was always a place where a well-loved cat or dog could find a warm lap and a loyal companion.

Leah loved games and was a fierce Scrabble opponent, delighting in obscure letter combinations that left everyone else questioning both her memory and the dictionary.

She is survived by her husband, Don Johnson; her children Michael (Pam) Nett, Gretchen (Chris) Brown, Wolf (Kathy) Drache, and Lori (Juan) Corral; her siblings Sandy Bocik and Dann (Karen) Juse and her grandchildren Jamie, Ajith, Chander, Noah, and Nala.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Shirley and Donald Juse; her sister, Wendee (Juse) White; and a handful of cherished pets.

A small celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2026—when the world feels a little warmer, a little brighter, and a little more like Leah.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Humane Society.

To view the obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Drive
608-845-6625

Leah Nett

November 16, 1940 - November 26, 2025

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