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Leslie L. McCracken, 72, of Orfordville, Wis., passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Aurora Lakeland Hospital in Elkhorn. He was born May 31, 1951, to Joseph “Beryl” and Christine (Purcell) McCracken in Greene County, Tenn. He married Glenda Whitehead on December 8, 1988, in Johnson City, Tenn.

Leslie was a broker for dairy cattle all over North America. He loved his Holstein cows and farming. He was a 50 plus year member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Also, he was #9 in the nation for breeding herd, and #1 in soil conservation in Tennessee. He was a highly awarded man in farming. 

Leslie is survived by his wife, Glenda; his children, Hawthorn C. (Chris Johnson) McCracken, John J (Katie) McCracken, and guardian son, Jeffery (Grace) Rutter; grandchildren, Gabriel and Jovie; Uncle Theil McCracken; and four cousins, Greg, Alan, Leeann, and Colleen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jeffrey Lynn McCracken.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 4, at Plymouth United Methodist Church, 5614 County Hwy. H, Orfordville, Wis. Interment followed in the Plymouth Cemetery. A celebration in Tennessee will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dairy Shrine, Holstein Association of Wisconsin or your local chapter.

Leslie’s family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the staff of Monroe Dialysis, Fresenius Dialysis, Nurse Cindy, and SSM Home Healthcare.

Apfel Wolfe Funeral Home, Janesville, Wis., is assisting the family.