Leisa Ann Gill, 57, of Mound City, Kansas, formerly of Reinbeck, died suddenly on Sunday, May 31, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City.

She was born April 11, 1952, at Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, daughter of James and Marilyn (Karkosh) Gill.

She graduated from Reinbeck High School in 1970. During her high school years, she won many state and national honors for her baton twirling. Leisa attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, where she was the featured baton twirler with the Parsons' Bears Marching Band. After the college dropped their football program, she transferred to Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, Missouri, where she also was the featured baton twirler for their marching band. Both positions were on scholarship.

On August 11, 1974, Leisa married Ron Sanders of Kansas City at the United Church of Christ in Reinbeck. They lived in the Kansas City area where Leisa was employed by Century 21 Investments. After Ron and Leisa divorced, she continued to live in the Kansas City area where she worked in various positions. Her latest employment was with Dillards Distribution Center at Olathe, Kansas.

She lived in a beautiful wooded area known as "Patricks Mountain." She loved living in the country and riding Harley Davidsons. She liked to crochet and knit afghans and give them to family members. She loved spending time with her dog, Kodi (she called him her "Baby Boy").

Leisa was diagnosed with acute leukemia on May 19th and entered the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on May 28th. The doctors (and there were many of them) tried everything but couldn't rid her body of the pneumonia and all the infections so they could treat her for the leukemia. She passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her with all their love.

Leisa is survived by her mother, Marilyn Gill of Waterloo; a sister, Lani Jo Flesch (Scott) of Libertyville, Ill.; and two very special nieces, Shauna and Jordan, also of Libertyville, plus many favorite cousins and friends.

There will never be another Leisa - She was so special. Her message to everyone is: When you are feeling lonely and think I am not here -just lift your heads and look around and you'll see me everywhere. You'll feel me in the morning sun or in a gentle breeze. You'll see me in the early spring in flowers, in woods and trees. When you see a starlit night, I'll be the brightest star. Remember we are bound in love and I'm never, never far. Heaven was missing an angel. Leisa has been called back and now has the wings of freedom.

Leisa, we will love you forever and ever and we will carry you in our hearts always. We know you are "Somewhere over the rainbow!"

Mom, Lani, Scott, Shauna and Jordan