Anna Mae (Zipperer) Leiker

Anna Mae Leiker (Zipperer), age 91, a Manitowoc resident died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on April 21, 2023, at Felician Village, Manitowoc

Anna was born March 7, 1932, in Manitowoc, second daughter of the late Edmund and Elizabeth (Schiesl) Zipperer.  Anna graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1950.  On July 7, 1951, she married Dale H. Leiker, Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Manitowoc.  She was a lifelong resident of Manitowoc, except for three years while Dale was stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina with the United States Marine Corps.  She was a seamstress for Sigman’s Curtain shop for many years.  She prided herself with always keeping busy.  She provided wonderful care for her entire family and enjoyed her passions of playing golf, cooking, gardening, and playing cards.  In her free time, she especially loved watching the Milwaukee Brewers.  Anna, Dale, and their six kids traveled by car throughout the country.  Throughout her life, she visited 49 states, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, and the Caribbean Islands.  Anna was very active in Roncalli High School, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Clare Society, and Manitowoc Elks Lodge #687.  She volunteered her time and skills as a Girl Scout leader, sewing draperies for local organizations such as the Manitowoc Elks, Rahr-West Art Museum, and St. Francis of Assisi parish.  She also knit countless caps for newborn babies in the community.  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for someone in need.

She is survived by four of her children, one son-in-law, and two daughters-in-law:  Sandy (Tom) Schuder, Randy Leiker, Ann Leiker, Debra Eis, and Jon (Tracy) Leiker; eight grandchildren: Crista (Tony) Willis, Jacob (Michelle) Eis, Kerri Eis (Brandon), Ian Leiker, Anika Leiker, Dakota Leiker, Nicholas Leiker, and Mason Leiker; two great-grandchildren: Benjamin Willis and Zoe Willis; four sisters, two brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law:  Bette (Jerry) Keil, Joan Dewane, Rita Dunn, Katie (Del) Ward, and Joanne Zipperer; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Anna was preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years, Dale Leiker; two of her sons:  Gregory Leiker and David Leiker; her parents Edmund and Elizabeth (Schiesl) Zipperer; father-in-law and mother-in-law Dale and Evelyn (Trost) Leiker; one brother, two sisters, and two brothers-in-law:  Jim Zipperer, Grace (Jack) Reddy, and Bernice (Richard) Smith; and one grandson Matthew Eis.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi, Grand Avenue (1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc), Rev. Doug Le Captain will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Visitation will occur at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Manitowoc.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Anna’s name to Roncalli High School (rhs.roncallicatholicschools.org), 2000 Mirro Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220 or the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN) Research Foundation (www.mpnresearchfoundation.org), 180 N Michigan Avenue Suite 1870, Chicago, IL 60601.

The family of Anna thanks you for gathering to celebrate her full life.  We are grateful for her life and your friendship, kindness, and prayers.  We are especially thankful to all the amazing staff from Felician Village, Richardson Palliative Care, and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice who tenderly cared for our mother.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anna Mae (Zipperer) Leiker, please visit our floral store.