Leland "Lee" J. Appleyard

Leland “Lee” J. Appleyard, 92, of Sparta, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.  He was born on February 18, 1933 to Fred and Lillian (Thoma) Appleyard, in Neillsville, WI. He grew up there and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1951.

After high school, Lee attended the UW- Madison for 1 year, before being drafted into the Navy. There he served as a Radio Technician until 1956.He went on to attend UW-Eau Claire, then UW-Stout, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in teaching industrial arts. 

Lee married Martha “Martie” Buchholz in Neillsville on June 13, 1959. They moved to Sparta in 1963. Lee worked at the Child Center as a principal, until the center closed. He delivered rural mail until his retirement in 1999.

Lee enjoyed boating, water skiing, snow skiing, playing harmonica, and traveling, and spending time with family.

Lee is survived by his wife, Martha “Martie” of Sparta; children, Vicki (Glenn) Appleyard-Korb of Edgerton, WI, and Brent Appleyard of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Sarah (Jayson) Thorn of Madison, and Emily (Ryan) McGuire of Edgerton; great grandchildren, Micah and Ella McGuire, and Vincent and Alaina Thorn; sister, Marian of Minneapolis, MN; and brother, Larry (Eileen) Appleyard of West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Melvin, William “Bill”, and Dale.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with Pastor William Rice officiating. Full military honors, provided by VFW Post 2112 and American Legion Post 100 both of Sparta, will follow the service at the funeral home.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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