Lola Barbara (Jackson) Leder

Lola was born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred and Ann Jackson, in Sale, Cheshire, England on September 24, 1926, and passed peacefully with family by her side on May 23, 2023, in Fulshear, TX. She met and married the love of her life, Gustav E. Leder, an American soldier of WWII, on May 19, 1945, in Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire, England. Their wedding started an amazing life story beginning with her voyage to the US on the QE1 and settlement in southern Michigan. Lola and Gus resided in Bridgman and then Portage until she moved to Texas to live with her daughter Chris in 2019. She loved all things Michigan and especially “Big Blue”. Her travels included trips to England to visit and care for her parents, to Spain to see her brother Gordon, to Australia to see her sister Miriam and her family and to China with her friend Midge Eckert. Her travels held frequent trips to California and Texas to see her daughters, Chris and Barbara and their families. There were parties and reunions in South Haven and Ludington thanks to sons Richard (Roxanne) and Greg (Cindy). Her adventurous side held a white-water rafting trip down the American River (CA), a hot air balloon ride on her 80th birthday and driving trips with her friend Midge well into her 80’s. Lola also enjoyed golf, gardening, knitting, was an avid reader, and time at the lake with family.

Lola’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She and Gus were charter members of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Portage, where she served on the Altar Guild for many years. Lola worked for Roto-Finish Company of Kalamazoo (10yrs) and the Heritage Community of Kalamazoo (8years).

Lola is predeceased by her parents; husband, Gus (1979); brother, Gordon Jackson (UK); sister, Miriam Neilson; nephew, Glenn (Australia) and grandson, Matthew Markiton (TX). She is survived by her four children, Christine (Bob) Markiton of Fulshear, TX, Barbara (Michael) Getz of Nevada City, CA, Richard (Roxanne) Leder of South Haven, MI and Gregory (Cindy) Leder of Ludington, MI; 7 grandchildren, Kathryn, Azriel (Michael), Megan (Dan), Amy (Nilay), Erin, Alison (Paul), Austin, and 1 granddaughter-in-law, Audrey; 10 great-grandson’s, Cameron & Aaron (Kathryn), Luca & Mario (Azriel), Alex & Jacob (Matt), Arlo (Megan), Abraham & Walker (Alison), Ignatius (Amy); nephew, Raymond Neilson (Australia) and niece, Diane (Pete) Oppenhuisen (Portage).

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 4, 2023, at 11:00AM at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 7211 Oakland Drive, Portage, Michigan, 49024 followed by a luncheon for family and friends. Inurnment in Genessee Prairie Cemetery will take place following the luncheon. Per her request, in leu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church Mission Funds.