Orleata Evelyn (Cole) Leffel, age 94 received her heavenly wings on January 27, 2025, at the Colonial Health and Rehabilitation of Colby. Orleata was born to Alvin and Hattie (Schultz) Cole on August 26, 1930. On March 29, 1947, she married the love of her life Delmar Leffel who preceded her in death on October 8,1992.
Orleata worked on the family farm alongside her husband in the town of Frankfort. Later in life she also worked at Cenex in Colby WI., The Village Sprits Stratford, Wi and The Belvedere Supper Club in Marshfield WI.
Sundays were a special time for family to come to have a wonderful dinner and laughs. She was the best cook in the world and loved to feed people. Her first words when you visited were “Did you have something to eat? She loved to spoil her grandchildren with pancakes anytime of the day. She would always be known for her wonderful chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, homemade french fries and homemade popcorn balls. She also loved to play cards and challenge her family to solve brain teasing puzzles. She loved teaching her grandchildren and spending time with them, from playing cards, picking wildflowers (her only tulip), or just watching them play. Her greatest pleasure was just spending time with her family. She loved to tell stories, and she always would tell you about her greatest accomplishment besides her family was to splice a rope. She was a very hard-working women who could do anything there was to do and would help anyone who would need help.
Orleata has four children who will miss her dearly. Cheryl Leffel, Stratford WI, Dennis (Shirley) Leffel, Milton Wi Delmar (Jodene) Leffel, Marathon, Wi, and Roxanne (Michael) Karlen Marathon, Wi. She was also grandmother to 16 grandchildren one step granddaughter, 26 great grandchildren, six step great grandchildren, 17 great great grandchildren with two more on the way. She is also survived by her sisters Ramona Schmitz and Lorainne Klatt and sister-in-Law Darlene Simmons and many nieces and nephews. She cherished every visit and phone call from everyone.
Orleata was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Hattie Cole, husband Delmar, father and mother-in-law William and Clara (Johnson) Leffel, her brothers and sisters-in-law Alvin Cole, Arthur (Merly) Cole, sisters and brothers-in law Vivan (Clarence) Fecker, Alvina Grieser, Connie (Wally) Wallner, Joe Schmitz, and Earl Klatt, Bernard (Jackie) Leffel, Myrtle (Edwin) Dickman, Lillan Leffel, Irene Leffel, Viola (Laverne) Treankler, Bernice (Harold) Miller. grandson Troy Leffel and great grandson Eric Ludwig.
Anyone that has crossed paths with Mom/Grandma knows she had a heart of gold. She has touched so many lives in her 94 years on this earth and will never be forgotten. Her legacy will be carried on with her children and grandchildren. Many of her witty comments will be shared over and over again and each one will bring a smile to our faces for years to come. Mom/Grandma you might not be kicking very high anymore but you sure are dancing with the Angels and the Love of your life now. We Love you!
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, March Rapids, with Rev. Philip Wilde officiating. The visitation will be on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and on Friday, from 10:00 am until service time, all at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Sauter / Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Colonial Health over the years for their tender loving care.
Author: News Desk
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