CONSTANCE BABETTE LEYHE's Obituary
Constance Babette Leyhe, age 67, of Oshkosh, passed away on Monday May 8th, 2017 at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center in Green Bay with her husband John by her side. Connie fought a courageous 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was accepted into a trial called Immunotherapy L. She endured 18 rounds of treatment knowing that what she went through might benefit herself and others. The wonderful staff at Aurora Bay Care center called Connie “a star”. Connie made the most of those two years.
Connie was born April 6th 1950 in Fond du Lac, Wi. The daughter of James and Carita (Brotz) Kalk. Connie was a devoted and loving daughter and sister. She cherished growing up with her older brothers Jim and Steve.
Connie loved horses. As a young person she enjoyed visiting her cousins at the Brotz family home. She spoke often of riding horses with them on the beach in Sheboygan. Connie grew up spending summers at the Kalk cottage on Lake de Neveu.
Connie attended college in Gulf Park Mississippi. Connie also lived in Germany, Bisbee Az., San Diego and Berkeley Ca. She worked as an aesthetician for 9 years in San Diego where she had a lot of fun and made lifelong friendships.
Connie met the love of her life John in May 1989 at Elkhart Lake, Wi., introduced by their dear friend Bill Thieman. They were married on Sept. 15th 1990 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Fond du Lac. Connie gave birth to her son Martin “Marty” July 5th 1991 at Alta Bates hospital in Berkeley Ca. Marty was the joy of Connie’s life. Shortly after Marty’s birth they moved to Oshkosh Wi.
Through Marty’s attendance at Lakeside School the Leyhes made precious friends. Activities included yearly New Years Eve parties that took place at Lake Winnebago on the ice with bon fires, skating and good food. Connie was a mentor to Marty’s friends who love her to this day.
Because of her interest in holistic medicine, Connie studied hard and became a licensed bio feedback specialist. She was happy to help people with those skills. Connie also enjoyed doing stained glass, pottery and art. Connie loved Santa Barbara Ca.; she and John enjoyed spending winters there in her later years. Connie had a special affection for her niece Rebecca, the daughter of her oldest brother Jim.
Connie was proceeded in death by her parents, brothers, and brother in law John Oldani. Connie is survived by her husband John, son Martin, sister-in-law Nan Kalk, niece Rebecca (Jim) Linton, sisters-in-law Claire Oldani, Ann (Andrew) Pauley, Ted (Laura) Leyhe and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dhimant Patel and the skilled and caring staff at Aurora Bay Care Medicare Center of Green Bay for the wonderful care they gave Connie.
Funeral services for Connie will be held on Saturday June 3rd at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (51 W. Division, Fond du Lac). Family and friends may call at the Fiss and Bills Funeral Home (865 S. Westhaven, Oshkosh) on Friday June 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and also at the Cathedral from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Contributions in memory of Connie can be made to the Oshkosh Boys and Girls Club or the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.
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