11/02/2024
J O I N • U S • 0 2 . 2 9 . 2 4 @ 1 1 A M
| 4710 N Maple, Fresno, CA 93726
L E S A • W A L Z B E R G
A • L I F E • W E L L• L I V E D
Our beloved, Lesa Lorraine Walzberg, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, six months prior to what would have been her 60th birthday. Her life exemplified a life of being the hands and feet of Jesus.
In her early twenties, Lesa accepted the free gift of salvation provided only through the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From that point forward she committed her life to knowing the Heavenly Father, and cherishing the truth that He knew her, and lovingly created her with intention and purpose. Her life’s purpose was knowing, hearing, and serving Him. To Lesa, her life truly began when she gave her life to the Lord.
Lesa married her best friend, Barry Walzberg, and they were coming up on their 36th anniversary this May. They spent many years making a home in Fresno, California, ultimately purchasing their second and forever home in Clovis, California. Lesa had always dreamed of returning back to Clovis, the town in which she grew up. She loved everything about Clovis.
Lesa and Barry loved serving in ministry together. In their early years, as newlyweds, they began leading a Bible Study from their church. As God often does, he connected them with others who would be part of their next journey. The present youth ministry leader was part of their Bible Study. He asked them to help him in his ministry, which they did. Eventually Lesa and Barry rose up into leading the youth ministry, which extended for many years. Lesa loved working with youth. This experience eventually helped shape them, as they continued to minister to children and families together, in what would become their Santa ministry.
During her early professional years, Lesa worked in the Real Estate Industry, working for Central Title Company in Fresno. She quickly honed her administrative skills and loved serving her clients. In the early 2000s Lesa, determined to complete her Bachelor’s Degree, went back to Fresno State while working full-time as an Human Resources Manager at the local non-profit, Valley Teen Ranch. In 2005 she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Human Resources. She was delighted to have accomplished this goal. She went on to test and earn her Professionals in Human Resources certification (PHR), and became active in the local chapter of Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Lesa went on to work for Technicon Engineering in Fresno, California as their HR & Risk Management Director. The company was growing and needed an HR & Risk Management department to be built to accommodate the new growth and meet legal requirements for a now medium to large size company. Lesa enjoyed building the department, working with people, and helping them in any way she was able. She empowered others to work hard, to be better, and to excel. Lesa went on to work for Actagro in the west Fresno community of Biola. She worked as the Director of Human Resources, building their HR Department. She enjoyed the new challenges this role brought into her professional career that stretched and further honed her administrative and people skills. As with everywhere Lesa worked, she was most interested in the people, knowing and understanding them, and if needed, helping them to progress in their job and even in their personal lives. She was administratively brilliant and passionate about people’s growth.
While working at Valley Teen Ranch, an opportunity arose there that began Lesa and her beloved husband Barry’s journey into the world of Santa. Little did they know, this new world would become so interwoven in the fabric of their lives that it would become how many people knew them…as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Barry and Lesa dove into this world head first, learning, networking, and building relationships with other local Santas and Mrs. Clauses (known as Claus Ambassadors) as well as worldwide. Lesa’s giftings in administration and caring for people were highlighted once again. Barry says, “(As Santa) I always get the credit, and she would tell me, ‘You make me look good.’ But the truth is, she made me look good.” Lesa always loved Santa as a child and even into adulthood. She loved what Santa represented.
To her, he represented the heart of our Heavenly Father. Strong, mysterious, and who dearly loves His children that he gives to in abundance. She often would say these are the qualities that God had embedded into Barry, and she was beyond delighted to serve others and share Barry with others as a symbol of God’s love for them. She prayed over every Santa visit, she often prayed with their clients, and built lifelong friendships with many of them.
Due to medical complications with Lupus, Lesa retired early. All the years of work she had put into her education and career, coupled with the joy she found in helping people, was at a close in this arena, which at first was devastating to Lesa. Soon though, Lesa reconciled with reality, knowing that God is sovereign and had reasons for this new season in her life, and she committed to trust him in this as in all the other seasons of her life. Lesa was born a caretaker. In her heart of hearts she always had a deep desire to stay home and have time to make nutritious and delicious meals for Barry and also have the time to care for others around her. In her early retirement she found she had the time to do these things.
Lesa was an avid cook. She loved learning new techniques, having all the accouterments to go with it, and teaching others to enjoy cooking. But, mostly, Lesa enjoyed preparing food for the people she loved whether they were recovering from surgery or just because. It brought her so much joy to share her gift of cooking with others.
In 2022 Barry joined Lesa in the life of retirement. Lesa enjoyed spending time with Barry more than anything. She enjoyed cooking and baking for him, watching him tinker or fix things, going out to eat on weekly dates or with others, ministering to people in their lives, or just watching a movie or show together with their dog, Peaches, who was often at her side.
Lesa had many Lesa-isms. If it was a big project you needed to tackle, she would remind herself and others of the old saying, “How do you eat an elephant?..One bite at a time.” Or if someone was having a rough time moving forward in a task or life…she would lovingly (and accurately) prod & tease, “Oh!…Do you need staff?”
Kindness and love was important to her. To be kind and loving, one must also be truthful. Ephesians 4:15 says, “ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” As with many other examples from scripture, Lesa lived this verse out whole-heartedly, regardless of whether it made her popular.
God had given Lesa a gift for seeing people, meeting them right where they were, and helping them to see Jesus. Lesa’s absence, this side of Heaven, will be felt greatly and by many. The legacy Lesa has left behind is one of service, intention, truth, and care. Many will miss her and many are looking forward to the day they will be reunited with her in the presence of our Lord.
A couple days before her passing Lesa took a screenshot of this verse…which is apropos, as it was her life’s anthem.
Galatians 6:9
“Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.”
D O • N O T • G R O W • W E A R Y
G A L A T I ON S • 6 : 9
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