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BORN
1951
DIED
2025
Leanne O'Donnell-Gilberg Obituary
Born: May 16, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN
Died: November 15, 2025 in Channahon, IL
Leanne R. O'Donnell-Gilberg passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at her late Channahon residence on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Born in Minneapolis, MN the loving daughter of the late Walter and Arlene (nee Saxton) O'Donnell.
Beloved wife of 52 wonderful years to Raymond Gilberg; Adored mother of Timothy (Beth), Aaron(Sarah), Ramsey (Jessica) and Samuel (Jasmine); Proud Nana of Blake, Barrett, Carter, Ally, Presley, Roman, Declan and Lakelan; "bonus" Nana to Cameron, Brayden, Olivia and Easton; Fond sister of Gerri Anderson, Mark (Pam) O'Donnell, Michele (Wayne) Gardas, Gail (Don) Reed and Kandi (David) Ryan; Dear sister in law of Karen Gilberg and Lydia Gilberg; proud owner of canine companion Rhy; numerous nieces and nephews also mourn her passing.
Preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers in law, Douglas Anderson and Steven Gilberg.
Leanne was a long time member of White Earth Nation. She was proud of her Ojibwa Heritage. She had a beautiful and natural talent for building rapport with others. She was known for being empathetic, finding common ground and used kindness and humor to make others feel valued and understood. She loved people and had a wonderful career as a Social Worker, LCSW before her retirement. She truly had a helpful heart. She enjoyed her family and her home. She was a talented baker and artisan, she spent many hours creating jewelry and decorations using the most beautiful beads. She was also a rock collector and a lover of words/language in general, meeting the challenges found in games like Scrabble, Jigsaw Puzzles and Online Word games. Her morning ritual usually included a good cup of coffee and a friendly competition of the Brain Puzzle Sudoku with Ray. Her loving attitude and extended care to everyone, including those she didn't know well, and fulfilling her neighbor's needs as she did her own will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
When through one woman a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth, come into the world, then that woman's life has had meaning.
Memorial Gathering for Leanne R. O'Donnell-Gilberg will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Joliet Elks Lodge located at 250 S.E. Frontage Road, Joliet, IL
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leanne O'Donnell-Gilberg
4 Entries
Ann & Keith Bygrave
November 26, 2025
We met when we visited Chicago at the start of our Route 66 journey. We knew Ray, but not Leanne. She was so welcoming that it was like we'd known her forever. Such a lovely woman. We wish that we could have had more time with her. Thinking of you at this time Ann & Keith (UK)
Phil Kinnunen
November 25, 2025
Leanne was a dear friend both in Red Wing and after we moved to Illinois, she will be missed and my big toe still hurts.
CONNIE BAKER
November 24, 2025
Such a special and wonderful friend, who always made us feel loved & cherished. We are truly blessed to have had this wonderful lady in our lives over the past 50 plus years!
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