Sally Ann Lesline, 78, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 24, 2025, at her home following a long illness. Sally was raised in Alma and lived over fifty years in Wamego.
Sally was born July 4, 1946, in Wamego, the daughter of Arthur C. and Maxine W. (Stellwagen) Metzger. She attended local grade school and graduated in 1964 from Alma High School. She attended Stewart’s Beauty College and worked as a hairdresser for fifteen years. She then graduated from Kansas State University and taught in the Adult Education program at Highland Community College and Manhattan-Ogden school district #383. She retired from teaching in 2013.
Sally also owned and operated several small businesses over the years.Sally grew up on the family farm on Keunzli Creek, east of Alma and loved the rolling Flint Hills where her father, grandfather and great-grandfather all farmed. She was always involved in some type of project; cooking, sewing, stripping furniture, antique hunting, reading, and researching family history. She enjoyed bowling and dancing, but the center of her life was her children and grandchildren.
Sally married Gary Weixelman. They were later divorced. She then married Robert Shortt. Sally and Bob welcomed a daughter, Kathy. They were later divorced. On February 14, 1976, Sally married James E. “Jim” Lesline in Wamego. Sally and Jim welcomed a daughter, Jayme and Jim adopted Kathy, making their family complete. For forty-nine years Sally and Jim’s lives were intertwined as the raised their family and made their memories. Jim survives at their home.Sally is also survived by her daughters; Kathy Ramirez (Michael), Lawrence, and Jayme Lesline (Mark Modro), Oswego, Illinois; her grandchildren, William “Billy” Hyden (Madi), Fort Cavazos, Texas, Andrew Parnell, Manhattan, Chase Ramirez, and Mary Kate Ramirez, both of Lawrence; and her great-grandchildren, Aspyn, Ayla, and Ansley. She is also survived by her brother, Joe Metzger, Minden, Louisiana. Sally was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Derald Metzger, and her sister, Susan Metzger, and sister-in-law, Heidi Metzger.
Memorial services will be held at a later date this summer. Inurnment will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. John Lutheran Church. Please, make checks out to the church and then send them in care of Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547. Online condolences may be left at www.campanellastewart.com.