Emily “Lee” Lepinske, age 98, of Dodgeville, WI, formerly of Western Springs, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026, with her husband at her side. Beloved wife of Harry; loving mother of Mark (Mary); cherished grandmother of Christian (Lilly) and Stefan; devoted sister of the late Irene Siessman; fond aunt of Kathy (Robert) Russo and the late Robert, and friend of many.
Emily was the daughter of parents who met in the United States after immigrating in their teens from Debica, Poland (Caroline) and the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (John).
In 1951, Emily met her future husband, Harry, in their neighborhood on the near southwest side of Chicago. After serving reserve duty, Harry was called up to the US Navy and deployed for Korean War duty in September 1951. Emily and Harry were wed at Five Holy Martyrs Church in Brighton Park, Chicago, Illinois in July 1954, a year after Harry’s return from the armed forces.
July 25, 1957. Lee Lepinske, as military correspondent, is seen preparing to board a Marine Nightfighter Douglas F3D Skyknight from the U.S. Marine Air tactical fighter Station, Cherry Point, NC.
Emily worked in nursing, while Harry worked at The Brighton Park Life Newspapers and news reporting for the US military overseas in Europe and Cuba.
They saved enough money to build a home in the Springdale neighborhood of Western Springs, Illinois in 1956 when that area was still cornfields. Mark was born in November, 1959.
Emily dedicated her life to homemaking, church activities in the newly forming St. John of the Cross Church, and some health-related work.
Emily was a founding member of St. John of the Cross Parish, founding member of its women’s club and choir, and assisted with charity and school programs.
In their nearly 72 years together, Emily often traveled with Harry to numerous locales worldwide, for work and exploration.
She claimed some of her most exciting experiences were riding in a U.S. Marine Corps tactical jet plane at high altitudes and residing briefly in a Moscow apartment during the former Soviet Union.
Emily is survived by her husband Harry, son Mark (Mary), and grandchildren Christian (Lilly) and Stefan. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice are greatly appreciated.
Visitation 10 to 11 am on Tuesday, May 5th at Saint John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558. Funeral Mass at 1 lam followed by interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. Additional Information: 708-352-6500
