Lori Lynn McGowan, 59, Whitewater, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI.

Lori was born on April 25, 1963 in Milwaukee, WI to Harry and Karen (Pickelmeyer) Leslie. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1981 and attended UW-Whitewater for 4 years with a focus on early childhood education. Lori married James McGowan on May 23, 1987. After their marriage, they moved to Guam where James was stationed. Here she served as the Program Coordinator for the Navy childcare center along with the Tender Shepherd Lutheran Church childcare program. After having her two boys and moving back to Wisconsin, Lori chose to be a stay-at-home mom and loved nothing more than watching her children grow and being a part of their lives. She loved to cook and loved her flowers. Lori and Jim shared a love for shopping for antiques as they traveled the states. She always loved experiencing new things with her family and friends. Lori was a devoted servant of God and we know heaven just got one big-hearted, feisty angel.

She is survived by her husband, Jim of Whitewater; sons, Patrick and Jeremy McGowan, Whitewater; parents, Harry Leslie of Birnamwood, WI and Karen Leslie of Milwaukee, WI; sisters, Heidi (Gary) Seibak, Sussex, WI and Pamela (David) Kozinski, Milwaukee, WI. She was preceded in death by her sister Dawn Ferguson.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190 with Rev. Rusty Lyons officiating. Friends may call at the Nitardy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Private burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Birnamwood, WI. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com