Mildred Marie (nee Baker) Lecklitner, born August, 16, 1931, was a gorgeous, spirited woman, a proud wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a professional. But Mickey, as known by everyone she touched, was so much more. She was someone who loved fiercely, especially her family, and life, with all that it offered. She would not have lived any other way. Mickey could never stop loving, and she was loved in return.
She was the kind of person who would take a sip of a caramel milkshake and roll her eyes back and pause and say, “That’s the best I’ve ever had!” (Which is not to say she didn’t express fully her distaste for anything that didn’t make the mark.). She was the kind of person who, when telling her about an upcoming trip or adventure you might have, would say, “Isn’t that wonderful!” even if it wasn’t that wonderful. She was the kind of person who would draw a map on her grandchild’s back at bedtime, and tell a story that went along with it, and they would never forget that back rub nor that story - EVER!
Mickey grew up during the Depression, living a modest Indiana small town life, the daughter of academic Leo and her mother Katherine Baker, and sibling of Edwin, William, and Helen who all preceded her in death. For a time a single parent to her adored son Gregory, she learned early on the value of hard work and education. While caring for her son she worked two high end restaurant jobs in Lafayette and enrolled as a student at the Purdue University Krannert School of Management. Throughout her life she remained a loyal Purdue supporter.
During this time she met and married Dr. Donald Max Lecklitner DDS, who also preceded her in death in January of 2019. In 1960 she began working alongside him as office manager in his dental practice. It was here that her work ethic, business acumen and people skills came together to solidify the success of the business and attract loyal patients over the years who became extended family to her. She had a warm, welcoming and magnetic personality that put others at ease. She listened to and truly cared about others. Because of her abundant generosity, she always put the needs of others ahead of her own. Years later, she provided the same “personal touch” to the practice when her beloved daughter Dr. Michelle (nee Lecklitner) Ashcraft joined the practice. In all she served as Office Manager for Lecklitner Dentistry for 53 years, retiring in 2013. During her career she touched many lives, loved engaging in conversation and never met anyone who remained a stranger.
She is survived by her children Dr. Gregory Lecklitner and his wife Meg Grant, Dr. Michelle Lecklitner-Ashcraft and her husband Dr. Darin Ashcraft and her four beloved grandchildren -Tess and Ian Lecklitner and Austin and Beau Ashcraft, the greatest joys of her life. She cherished her time spent with them and strived to nurture their individual interests, developing deep and lasting memories that they will never forget.
Beyond her interest in people, her curiosity and adventurous spirit were robust. She loved cooking, gardening, traveling, reading and LIVING! She taught others by her example kindness, compassion, generosity, determination and the value of education and investments. She cultivated her relationships as beautifully as she tended to her amazing flower gardens, both of which were favorite passions.
She passed peacefully with her family by her side on December 7, 2021, having been gently and lovingly cared for by the staff at Franciscan Health hospital. The family would like to express their utmost gratitude and appreciation to the incredible Franciscan Health Palliative Care team along with the amazing doctors, nurses, technicians and staff, who so professionally and thoughtfully cared for her and them during the last weeks of her life.
In her memory, do something nice and unexpected for someone else and think of her when you see a yellow rose, her favorite flower. In keeping with her wishes there will be no services at this time and a family celebration of her life scheduled for Spring, Mickey’s favorite time of year. In lieu of flowers, please offer a donation on Mickey’s behalf to the Alzheimer’s Association.
