She was a retired elementary school teacher who taught in schools in Windsor, Illinois; the Chicago suburbs; and Haslett, Michigan. A 1973 graduate of Mattoon (Illinois) High School, she graduated in 1977 from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in education. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Spring Arbor University in 2005.
Denise was active in her church, serving as a eucharistic minister, lector and chair of the funeral ministry. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing and previously had been a member of St. Steven’s Catholic Church of Sun Lakes, Arizona, and Immaculate Conception Church of Mattoon.
Denise enjoyed her retirement years in Sun Lakes playing in several golf leagues, some for which she served as president. She also enjoyed playing golf with a group of friends known as the “Sun Lakes Gang.” She enjoyed cooking, baking, playing golf and following Michigan State University athletic teams as well as the Chicago Cubs. Denise most enjoyed spending time with or doing things for/with family or friends, especially her three adorable granddaughters.
Born July 21, 1955, in Mattoon, she was the daughter of Walter and Marilyn (Schreiber) Sanders. She married Mark Fleshner on July 23, 1977, in Mattoon.
Denise is survived by her husband; a daughter, Kathryn Fleshner (Katlyn) of Okemos, Michigan; three grandchildren, Izabella, Arizona and Hadley; and a brother, Craig (Mary Ann Whitley) of Indianapolis.
A visitation for Denise will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the Rosary taking place at 7:30 PM, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823. A Mass of Resurrection will occur on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. The family invites those who wish to attend the Funeral Mass virtually, to join the livestream at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@OutreachMass/streams
Memorials may be made to the Mayo Clinic Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Fleshner family.
