Brenda Janadean (Leslie) Winn, 72, of Mexico, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Brenda was born on November 15, 1953, in Sioux City, Iowa to Dean G. Leslie and Janata (Greene) Leslie.
Throughout her many dedicated years at the first Walmart, coworkers and friends knew her as one of the strongest, hardest-working women they had ever met, earning her the nickname “Sarge.” While she was a force at work, she was also an adored daughter, an amazing wife, a dedicated sister, and a loving aunt.
After graduating from Larned High School in 1971, Brenda married Clayton Akers and the couple had 2 daughters, Kristina and Deana. The marriage ended in divorce and on June 25th, 1976, Brenda married Richard Winn in Colorado Springs. They were nearing their 50th wedding anniversary.
Richard survives her as do her father, Dean Leslie of Larned, Kansas; brother Kevin Leslie (CJ) of Rock River, Wyoming; sister Mary Yrchak (Kevin) of Melbourne Beach, Florida; step sisters, Debbie Snyder (Tom) of Larned, Kansas; and Pam Almquist of Fort Worth, Texas. Carrying on her legacy are Kayla Akers and grandson Kaydren Wilson of McKinney, Texas; Kristina (Martin) Rutherford of Derby, Kansas; Kandice Mitchell and daughter Kalysta of Derby, Kansas; and Ben (Josie) Mitchell and children AzLynn, Brogan and Benjamin of Hannibal, Missouri.
Brenda was preceded in death by her mother Janatha, step mother Shirley, mother and father in law John and Jennie Winn, and her dearest friends, Gina, Gwen, and Madonna.
Brenda’s proudest accomplishments were being the best mother and grandmother anyone could ask for. Whether in her career or her personal life, she took everything she did seriously and always gave her very best. To know Brenda was to love her , and she was deeply loved by her children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, many friends and family members. She will be incredibly missed by all who crossed her path.
In keeping with her wishes, Brenda will be cremated and then interned in Ashland, Kansas, beside her beloved mother.
