Gladys Marie (Franke) Leschper, 86, of Sealy, passed away Jan. 17, 2024, in College Station. She was born Aug. 10,1937, in Industry to Bennie and Sveedie (Koslovsky) Franke. She attended schools in New Ulm and Industry before graduating from Bellville High School in 1956.

Growing up with her younger brother on a farm in New Ulm, Gladys was no stranger to hard work. They spent long hours picking cotton alongside their parents, joined many times by their cousin Betty Joyce, whose summer visits were recalled fondly by Gladys all her life. She loved horses, especially Old Paint, whose blindness taught them to trust each other.

After graduation, Gladys and a friend moved to Houston to attend comptometer school, living with her aunt and uncle until they completed their training and found jobs. She enjoyed working as a bookkeeper at Kuhn Paint Company.

One day, she saw Wilbert Leschper at an ice cream parlor. Friends introduced them later, and they were married on Sept. 20, 1958 at Industry Brethren Church. In 1966 they moved to the Peters community, where Wilbert had grown up. After several years as a stay-at-home mom, Gladys went to work with her husband at the meat market he opened in 1976. They closed The Country Market in 1999 and worked for Ranchers Meats in Bellville until retirement.

Gladys liked singing in the church choir, listening to polka and country music, dancing and going on trips with the family for Wilbert’s bowling tournaments. Her favorite activities,however, were centered around the kitchen. She loved to cook and bake and collected more recipes in her lifetime than anyone else we know. At Christmas her kitchen abounded with homemade jellies, cookies and candies. Any time the Leschpers gathered for a meal, the most popular item on the dessert table was her cream cheese squares. And every May, she baked anywhere from 10 to 15 cakes for the cakewalk at the annual Peters Hall Mothers’ Day Celebration.

Survivors include her children, Gene Leschper, Donna and Alan Lehmann; grandchildren, Michael, Faith, and Samuel Lehmann; siblings-in-law, Linda Ratjen, Kenneth and Cleba Leschper, Adolph Leschper, Marilyn Prince, Doris and Clem Krolczyk, Nelda and Tommy Tamborello; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Walter, Sr. and Mary Leschper; brother, Jesse Franke; siblings-in-law, Larry Ratjen, Lee Roy, Sr., Janie, and Maggie Leschper, Florence and Leon Frank, Walter, Jr. and Judy Leschper, Edna Leschper, Jerry Prince; nephews and nieces, Jeffery Franke, Helen Rother, Mary Rosselli, Deborah Guerrero, Steven Krolczyk; and great-nephew and niece, Christopher Mathews, Jessica Hills.

Pallbearers are Michael and Samuel Lehmann, Scott McClellan, Rusty Waxler, Andrew Leschper, and Tim Prince.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Steven Krolczyk Memorial Scholarship Endowment at Blinn College, or a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Knesek Bros. Funeral Chapels 768 Fourth St., Sealy, 77474.