Gwendolyn C. Leifheit

Gwendolyn C. Leifheit, 89, of Chippewa Falls died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Her family is grateful for the gentle care and support from Heartland Hospice during her last days. 

Gwen was born September 3, 1935, in Berlin, WI to Elmer and Lily (Brey) Jorgensen. She graduated from Berlin High School, and attended nursing school at Walther Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Il. 

On December 29, 1956, she began a beautiful and happy sixty-six year marriage to Don Leifheit in Berlin, WI. They lived the early years of their union in Aurora, IL, close to Don’s extended family where they had many contented years with the loving support of the Leifheit clan. In 1969, they moved to Chippewa Falls where Gwen was dedicated to her role as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, including the role of Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department. She felt called to be a nurse and her passion for nursing continued throughout her life. Her shared life with Don was filled with love, laughter, fishing, golf, cribbage, travel, close family, great friends, and her beloved Chicago Bears. 

Gwen is survived by a family who cared for her deeply, as she did them; Her children, Tom (Amber) Leifheit, Cary (Guy) Johnson, Cathy Manley, Bill (Kari) Leifheit, Jane (Darian) Blattner, and Sara (Toby) Campbell; 17 grandchildren, Mason, Brady, Samantha, Casey, Matt, Kate, Hannah, Hayley, Max, Theo, Nora, Tyler, Libby, Drew, Mia, Brynn, and Colin; two great grandchildren, Desi and Hadlee; and her best friend, Maureen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Ramona Neitzke, Darlene Trickey, and Shelby Jorgensen. Gwen found great comfort in knowing she would be reunited in heaven with her husband, Don, who passed away in 2022. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, November 16, at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 Colome St., Chippewa Falls with Rev. Gregory Stenzel officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

A private family interment will take place at a later date at Poy Sippi Cemetery in Waushara County, WI.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations may be sent to the Gwen Leifheit Memorial Nursing Scholarship, CFAUSD Foundation, PO Box 981, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.

If you want to learn more about the CFAUSD Foundation go to http://cfausd-foundation.com They don’t have the capability of online donations so checks must be mailed to the above address.