Leanne L. Chaney

Leanne L Chaney (Lee Ann Chaney) Lee was born in Augusta, Maine on May 16, 1961, and named Lee Chaney. On April 24, 2023, Lee passed away at Aspirus hospital in Rhinelander after battling cancer for about 1.5 years. She grew up in foster care, spending much of her childhood in South and North Attleborough, MA. When she was adopted at a young age by Tauno and Leslie Marie Hill, her name was changed to Leanne Leslie Hill. She attended Cedar Brook School in Rehoboth, MA and Pine Tree Academy in Freeport, ME. Lee worked at Fuller Memorial Hospital in South Attleboro for several years. She left home as a teenager to move to WI. Lee rose up against all adversity and made a life and a name for herself. She was no stranger to difficult times or hard work. Lee focused on becoming better, molding herself into a strong-willed, tenacious, yet caring person and sometimes a force to be reckoned with. She received her GED, then later an accountant degree from MATC. Lee was married to Robert Buecker on 10/16/82. Her only child, Leslie, was born on April 29, 1985. Lee was divorced in 1988 and later met Steve Baldwin and was married on September 21, 1991 in Watertown, WI. That marriage ended in 2012. Lee held many jobs over the years, where she excelled and thrived. She was a medical coder, accountant, office manager, independent consultant for various medical offices as well as a designer of a new medical office building and implementer of their computer systems. Lee eventually ended up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin in Minocqua where she owned the Minocqua Feed Store from 2011-2015 and owned A Rising Phoenix Equestrian Center from 2011. Lee later became a Realtor/Broker at EXP where she seemed to find her niche. In her own words she stated this about her work history, “I started in the workforce young, ranging from food service, mechanic, office management, construction, and medical consultant while expanding my knowledge base along the way”. She stated “I love this spectacular place we call the Northwoods. I have come to know in person why so many call this home, either full or part-time. Having lived in the area for over seven years has given me the opportunity to get to know the vastness of the area and its people.” Lee developed many friends over the years with both those she worked with and for. She is survived by an adopted brother, Dr. T William Hill and her daughter, Leslie (Nicholas) Anderson and 4 grandchildren, along with three nieces and two nephews. Her brother Ray M Hill (Linda) preceded Lee in death. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Minocqua Baseball Park on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. (9615 Field Stone Dr. Minocqua, WI 54548). In lieu of flowers, monetary or in-kind donations can be made to Oneida County Animal Shelter (1852 N. Stevens St, Rhinelander, WI 54501, 715-362-5992). Lee was an avid lover of pets, especially her horses. She would be honored knowing animals would be cared for in her memory.

Leanne L. Chaney

May 16, 1961 - April 24, 2023