Leola Gottschalk, 95, Hays, died Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Via Christi Village.
She was born July 26, 1924 on the family farm near Liebenthal, the daughter of Joseph and Rosa (Herrman) Schafer. After graduating from high school, she earned her teacher certification from Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita then taught in several one room schoolhouses. On May 24, 1949 she was united in marriage to Raymond “Ray” Gottschalk, and they were married 43 years before he preceded her in death on February 22, 1993. Her memberships included St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Anthony Altar Society, and Daughters of Isabella Circle #254. She was a substitute teacher, worked in her husband Ray’s Knights of Columbus Insurance office, and was very active in helping her husband with the Knights of Columbus, traveling frequently and attending conventions together. She enjoyed square dancing, playing pinochle and bridge, weekly Bingo, vegetable gardening, drawing, and keeping her mind sharp with crossword and crypto quote puzzles. She was active in her church, possessed a devout faith, was a wonderful cook, and loved her family, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.
Survivors include four sons; Darrell Gottschalk and wife Shirley, Dennis Gottschalk and fiancé Brenda Reiners, Randy Gottschalk and wife Nadine, and Paul Gottschalk, all of Hays, a daughter; Linda Riedel and husband Leroy of Hays, a sister; Ann Dechant of Leawood, a brother-in-law; Francis Haberman of Great Bend, fourteen grandchildren; Tonya Knoll and husband Grady, Tara Amador and husband Sheldon, Amy Leiker, Tracy Dague and husband Chad, Renae Wellbrock and husband Jake, Kerri Stecklein, Shanon Herrman and husband Glenn, Rhonda LaBarge and husband Marty, Ryan Gottschalk and wife Tiara, Travis Gottschalk and wife Cherie, Sara Leiker and husband Taylor, Justin Gottschalk and fiancé Joslynn Davis, Jordan Gottschalk, and Joshua Gottschalk, 33 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Ray, a daughter-in-law; Silvia Gottschalk, a grandson-in-law; Farron Leiker, a brother; Bert Schafer, and three sisters; Rosemary Simpson, Coleta Haberman, and Geraldine Schafer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 29, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Brian Lager officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at the church and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:30 pm, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 pm, all on Thursday at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Church or to TMP-Marian High School. Condolences and memories of Leola may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com