Obituary of Nila Dawn Leder

Nila Dawn Leder, age 88, passed away on February 10, 2014 at The Lodge at Whispering Pines in Plover where she had resided for the past four and a half years. Funeral services will be held at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2201 Chestnut St. in Wisconsin Rapids at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 13th with Rev. Tom Petersen of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Stevens Point officiating. There will be visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Nila was born on July 23, 1925 in Arpin, WI to Carl and Hattie (Wilke) Scheunemann. She attended school in Arpin, WI until moving to Wisconsin Rapids where she attended Immanuel Lutheran grade school and then Lincoln High School. On March 14, 1944, Nila married Robert (Bob/Slug) Leder in the pastor's parsonage in Wisconsin Rapids. They were married for 69 years at the time of her husband's passing on September 10, 2013. During her life, Nila held many office positions such as a receptionist for a local physician, a dentist, and as a bookkeeper for a local funeral home, all in Wisconsin Rapids. Since Nila and her husband enjoyed camping up north, they retired in Arbor Vitae after her husband retired from Consolidated Papers, until moving to Stevens Point in 2003 to be near family. For many years Nila and Bob enjoyed spending winter months in various parts of the south to include Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They loved playing card and dice games with the new friends that they made along the way. While residing in Wisconsin Rapids Nila taught a Sunday school class for many years at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Nila took a few classes and perfected her ceramic skills, stitchery projects, and various other craft things that came her way. She loved trying new recipes and baking was her first choice. Survivors include a son: Peter (Linda) Leder, Junction City; three grandchildren: Wendy (Paul) Schlaefer, Wisconsin Rapids; Chad (Katy) Leder, Appleton; Dustin (Alina) Leder, Appleton; six great-grandchildren: Kelly, Erin, Judd, and Jonathan (JT) Schlaefer, and Nathan and Matthew Leder; 2 sisters-in-law: Mildred (David) Etheridge, Green Bay; and Donna (Burton) Scheunemann, Wisconsin Rapids; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Burton Scheunemann and John Scheunemann. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to enhance the lives of children dealing with cancer. The family would like to especially thank the Ministry Hospice team who helped care for Nila these past few weeks. Their expertise and concern made the progress so much easier. A greater thank you goes to the whole staff of The Lodge at Whispering Pines who enabled Nila to stay in her familiar surroundings. They went above and beyond in the final days to ensure peace and comfort and love. When you can cry with people on staff, and they say they are praying for you and your family, you know you have hit the jackpot. Thank you SO much, and God's blessings to all of you!