Leandra "Toots" Gill

Leandra “Toots” Julie Gill (Delie), age 88 of Appleton, WI joined her heavenly kingdom on April 10, 2025. She was born to Andrew and Deloris (Naniot) Delie on August 14, 1936 in Appleton, WI. After graduating high school in 1954, Leandra met and married her first love, Ralph Raiche and together, they had one son. They were together until his unexpected and untimely passing in 1963. Leandra found love again with Merlin Gill. They were married in 1967 and together, they had one daughter. Toots worked many careers throughout her life, but most recently she enjoyed bringing people joy through her work as a server at the Paradise Island Ice Cream Parlor, serving the community for 17 years until her retirement in April of 2004.

Toots was always the life of the party wherever she traveled, but especially reveled in throwing her own parties. She enjoyed bus tour trips around the country and camping wherever she could. In her free time, Toots liked cooking and baking – so much so that everyone always left her house completely stuffed. You could often find Toots tending to her various gardens, including her rock garden. She enjoyed music, especially polka, and played accordion to keep her fingers nimble. More than anything, though, she loved her family and cherished every moment she could spend with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she helped to raise.

Toots will be deeply missed by her two children, Jeff Raiche-Gill of Portage and Wendy (Matthew) Pitts of Menasha; her four grandchildren, Amber (Alec) Nielsen, Jenessa Gill, Hunter (Larissa) VerKuilen, and Donald (Caitlin) VerKuilen; one great-granddaughter, Leandra VerKuilen; one brother, Andrew Delie of Appleton; one brother-in-law, Mel (Judy) Gill of Greenville; five sisters-in-law, Theresa Jasken of Hortonville, Betty Abel of Grand Chute, Audrey Akmentins of Appleton, Shirley (Richard) Niemi of Grand Chute, and Sandra Ellenbecker of Appleton; as well as many other extended family members and dear friends.

Toots is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ralph Raiche and Merlin Gill; and her brother, James (Bonnie) Delie.

A funeral visitation will be held for Toots from 2-4 PM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at First English Lutheran Church, 326 E North St, Appleton, WI 54911 with a funeral service to follow at 4 PM. Toots will be laid to rest with Merlin at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Alzheimer’s research organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Toots’ family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and other supporting staff at Renaisance Assisted Living, Rennes Health and Rehab Center, and AseraCare Hospice for all their care, expertise, and support during Toots’ times of need.