WICKENBURG - Married for over 64 years, Leo Lavon Wisseman and U. Denise Wisseman passed away on January 6, 2026, and May 1, 2026, respectively, both at the age of 92. Leo and Denise each passed peacefully in their long-time cherished home in Wickenburg, Arizona.

Leo Wisseman was born on December 22, 1933, in Greenwood, Delaware to Clayton Wisseman and Dema Wisseman (Miller). He grew up with his two siblings Arlen and Velma. His early childhood included living with his grandmother in California, followed by a move to Wyoming, where his family lived in a chuckwagon and later a one-room Sears catalog home. Leo attended high school in suburban Denver, served as a Korean War medic at age 18, and later earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Denver. He relocated to Arizona in 1959.

Denise Wisseman (Thurnheer) was born on July 5, 1933, on Long Island in Hempstead, New York to Hans Thurnheer and Angelina Thurnheer (Amacher). She grew up with her three siblings Mike, Ursula and Ruthie. The family moved to a farm in Ithaca, New York, where Denise spent most of her childhood. Denise, too, found her way to Arizona, also moving there in 1959.

Leo and Denise met after they each moved to Arizona, while working at Motorola. They were married on September 30, 1961. From 1964 to 1968, they welcomed son Preston and daughters Lynnel and Kathleen to their family while living in south Scottsdale. In the late 1970s, Leo designed and built over a period of two years (with help from his family) a new house on acreage on the outskirts of south Chandler and moved into the house in 1979. Leo retired from Motorola in 1991, and in 1999 he and Denise moved to Wickenburg to live out their retirement years.

Leo was ever the engineer - always inventing, building, tinkering and fixing things that most people could not fix. Solving problems was his specialty. A classic perfectionist, he was a steady, reliable presence for his family. He adored his wife Denise and assisted her in her later years with great love and responsibility. And he could always be counted on to deliver the just-right prayer, whether it was specifically for an individual or before holiday meals with the extended family.

Denise's sharp wit, sense of humor and memory skills stood out even until her final days. A bit sassy, she could hold her own with anyone who engaged her in a battle of wits. Her creative nature showed through in her cooking, sewing and artistic talents. The rock of the family, Denise maintained family togetherness and cemented the stability of the home.

Growing up in the Great Depression era, Leo and Denise both held great appreciation for what they had during their life and strove to be charitable to those less fortunate, consistently giving to a myriad of charitable organizations, including giving excess food grown in their garden in south Chandler to local groups. They were strong in their faith in Jesus and were active in the

First Presbyterian Church in Wickenburg. Family time was very important, whether it be on road trips with their children, or hosting family holiday celebrations at their home in Wickenburg.

Leo and Denise are survived by Leo's brother Arlen Wisseman (Miriam), Denise's sister Ruthie Riedlinger (David), daughters Lynnel Cook (Gary) and Kathleen Lunt, grandchildren Micah, Adam (Tanya), Kellin, Brandon, Nolen (Kaitlin) and McKenzie, great-grandchildren John, Mallory, Kennedy, Tommy and Felicity, and beloved cat Princess.

A memorial service for Leo was held on January 20, 2026. A memorial service for Denise will be held for family and friends on June 12 at 12:00pm at the Wickenburg Funeral Home in Wickenburg.