Leila Gottsacker

Leila Louise Gottsacker, 89, died at Morningside Health Care Center on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Soft red hair and sassy charm graced her until the end. She was born Leila Keller on November 29, 1926, on the family farm outside Waldo to parents Edwin and Sylvia (Shaver) Keller. Her memories of the farm, of growing up with six brothers and sisters, were vivid and happy. Leila graduated from Waldo High School and moved to Sheboygan in 1944. She worked at the Foeste Hotel until the end of WWII. Through her brothers Gib and Ray she met Kenneth Gottsacker and they married in 1947. As newlyweds, Leila and Kenny lived for the Saturday night dances held throughout the county. They were foster parents, lost twin sons Tim and Tom at birth, and then raised three boys in Sheboygan Falls. Starting in the 1960's, Leila and Kenny dove into the restaurant business. They ran the Point Drive-In, then created The Villager, started Dixie Cream Donuts, Robby's Char Haus and finally the Beef and Bun in Tucson, AZ. They were married for 58 years until Kenny's death in 2005.
Leila struggled against rheumatoid arthritis for almost 50 years. She participated in numerous trials for anti-arthritis drugs and overcame a dozen joint replacement surgeries.
Leila is survived by her sons, Brian (Rose), Terry (special friend Heidi Loose), and James (Rita); her grandchildren Sunny, Greg, Duste, Grant, Jordan, Hannah, Christian, Ana, Haley and McKenzie; and her sixteen great-grandchildren. Leila leaves behind her brother James (Sherry) Keller of Rapid City, SD and Helen Buhler of Oostburg.
A time of visitation and support will be held at St. Clement Catholic Church, 522 New York Avenue, Sheboygan on Wednesday, July 6 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Fr. Matthew Widder presiding. Inurnment to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials in her name are appreciated. The family would like to thank the staff at Morningside for care and support of Leila over the years. Please visit, www.ballhornchapels.com to view the tribute wall.