Auf Wiedersehen, Leora Salchert Leora Margaret Salchert, aged 100, passed away peacefully at her home in St. Cloud on Friday, August 3, 2018. Leora was born the first child of Christ and Alvina Lefeber at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac on September 1, 1917. Leora was preceded in death by husband Elmer (August 1, 1987), by brother Marvin Lefeber, sister Marian Feldner and by in-laws Elizabeth "Betty" Lefeber, Roy Dreifuerst, Ambrose Feldner and Mae Lefeber. Leora is survived by her children: Gerald, Robert(Mary), John(Janice), Mary(Dan Dreifuerst), Janice(Tom Baldock), Barbara(Doug Woehlke), Mark(Cori), Dean (Diane) and Lynn(Keith Malson) and 34 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and special members of the family In Suk and Lucia Ro. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Karin, Kris, Sue, Sharon, Kim, Michael, Julie, Jeff, Steve, Wendy, Jim, Jessie, Jennie, Samantha, Dougie, Michelle, Kevin, Amy, Sarah, Jonathon, Joshua, Johanna, Charity, Mary, Andrew, Emily, Charlie, Mathew, Mitch, Chris, Nick, Angie, Lucas, Andrew ---and Cooper. Beloved surviving siblings are LaVern "Jim" Lefeber, Joseph Lefeber, Rosemary Dreifuerst, Harold "Flip" Lefeber and sister-in-law, Lucille Lefeber. Leora attended St. Mary's School in Fond du Lac in the 1920's at a time when German was still taught as a standard part of the elementary curriculum. When Leora was nine years old, Christ and Alvina moved the Lefeber family from Fond du Lac to the village of St. Cloud where Leora later married Elmer Salchert and where she and Elmer raised their large family. Leora remained in St. Cloud (except for winters in Florida and several visits to friends and family in Germany) for the rest of her life. Leora's career was as a remarkable, professional, full-time homemaker for her husband and their nine children. She was supportive of her husband in his business and an exemplary, exceptionally devoted mother and grandmother In addition to matriarch of her own large Salchert family, Leora was the matriarch of the several-hundred member Christ and Alvina Lefeber extended family. Leora was blessed with good health throughout her life and was never hospitalized for an illness. She once said she never experienced a headache (with the possible exception of her children?). Leora made the world a better, more wholesome and happy place. A sweeter, more sincere, loving and innocent essence never existed. She had an unbounded love for children ---and they adored her in return. She never judged an individual. Her unique gentle, playful, kind spirit brought smiles to many. She loved music, especially German/Austrian marches, waltzes, polkas and, toward the end of her life, operettas. Dankeschoen, Mom! Auf Wiedersehen to a life very well-lived. May your joyful spirit live on. The family wishes to extend a very, very special thank you to Mom's neighbors, her many friends and to everyone in the community for their incredible love, support and kindness. Thanks to your love, support and kindness Mom's later years were so very happy and contented --and her passing so uniquely peaceful and natural. Special heartfelt thanks go to Fathers Gary, Joseph and Larry, Sr. Jenada, the Sisters of Christ the King, and to Marquardt Homecare. A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at St. Isidore Parish-St. Cloud Church, 924 Main Street, St. Cloud, WI 53079. Rev. Larry Abler, OFM Cap will officiate along with Rev. Gary Wegner, OFM Cap, Rev. Oliver Bambenek, OFM Cap, and Rev. Joseph Mattathill, OFM Cap concelebrating. Leora will be laid to rest next to her husband, Elmer in the parish cemetery. Visitation: Family and friends may greet the family at the Sippel Funeral Home, 1311 Thorp Street, St. Cloud, WI 53079, on Friday, August 10th from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the funeral home Saturday morning, August 11th from 9:00 AM until 10:15 AM. For further details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.