Leila Ann Charlotte Kilcher passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, August 3, 2025, at Garden View Place in Monona, Iowa, where she had lived for the past 8 years. She was 91. Leila Ann was born on January 14, 1934, to Harry and Mary Debes in rural Farmersburg, Iowa. Her family moved to Monona in December 1937.
Leila Ann graduated from Monona High School in 1951. Following graduation, she began working as secretary to the superintendent for Postville High School and remained at that job until October 1956. She next continued her career at the Interstate Power Company in Monona, staying until September 1981.
Leila Ann attended the Pilgrim Evangelical United Brethren Church in Monona and served as church treasurer, Sunday School teacher and organist; she also sang in the choir. On June 21, 1969, she and Paul F. Kilcher were united in marriage at the Pilgrim EUB Church. Following their marriage, she joined her husband Paul at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Monona. For over 28 years she faithfully counted the church offerings. She continued in that role when she transferred to Faith Lutheran in the fall of 2010. Leila Ann regularly attended church until declining health limited her abilities. Her faith in God strengthened and sustained her through every season of life.
Leila Ann had many hobbies and interests. She loved golfing, reading, playing bridge and doing crossword puzzles. She especially enjoyed tending the flowers in her garden and the results were many beautiful blooms. Baking was another one of her talents; she made fabulous apple pies. Leila Ann had a great fondness for dogs and cats. Over the years she adored several dogs and adopted various stray cats and kittens. Leila Ann was also an avid, life-long Iowa Hawkeye fan. Numerous times she went on bus trips with the bank to watch them play.
Leila Ann is survived by her stepson, Jeffrey (Michelle) Kilcher of Normal, Illinois, and her stepdaughter, Julie Heath, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Adam Heath of Cedar Rapids and Kahlie (Riley) Potter of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, as well as a great grandson, Emory Potter. Also surviving are five nieces: Judith Haas of Libertyville, Illinois; Maxine Tonn of Springfield, Minnesota; Cheryl Gann of Greer, South Carolina; Sandra Doi of Los Angeles, California; and Laneva Wynveen of Loganville Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents, and a sister, Viola Schlitter.
A Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm with a visitation from 12:00 pm until time of service on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Monona, Iowa with Rev. Erika Lenth as the Officiant.
Interment will follow at Monona City Cemetery, Monona, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with services.