Elizabeth Ann Reichle Lieder (Ann) passed from this life on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo. Ann was 93 years old.
Ann was born December 28, 1930, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Thelma Blue and Charles August Reichle Jr. She was “big sister” to two brothers, Charles Reichle, III and Philp Reichle, both of whom have predeceased Ann. From her parents, Ann learned to volunteer and give back to her community, always teaching, always sharing.
She graduated from Withrow High School in 1949 and the University of Cincinnati School of Design, with a B.A. in Applied Arts, in 1954. A proud “Bearcat” alum, she met her husband, William Donald (Don) as a UC “co-ed.” They married in 1955, embarking on 67 years of adventures, commencing in Edgewood, MD, where Ann’s job with the Army Chemical Corp had a higher security clearance than Private Don’s! They moved to Cleveland where she achieved an Education M.A. from Case Western Reserve and began her teaching career. Ann and Don lived in Philadelphia before moving to the Toledo area, where Ann returned to full-time teaching at Maumee Valley Country Day, Spring and Reynolds Elementary Schools. Her education philosophy was “Wake up! You are living with history!”.
They built a home in Perrysburg where they raised their two daughters, Lynn Lieder (Tom), and Laura Lieder Rombalski (Terry). Following retirement, Ann and Don pursued relentless travel, including 15 trips abroad and attending dozens of “Road Scholars” learning vacations (and of course, visiting their five beloved grandchildren).
Despite living far away, “Mimi Ann” and Papa played an active role in their grandchildren’s’ lives. Mimi insisted on being together for holidays, vacations, birthdays, graduations and athletic events. Most memorable for the kids were the weeklong visits to Perrysburg, every summer, where Mimi had a full schedule of fun events (which always included trips to Penguin Palace). These visits established lifelong memories for all.
Ann had great passion for learning and history, found joy in reading, and had to be constantly doing. Everyone knew of her interest in British royalty, from Henry VIII to Queen Elizabeth, whom she considered a peer. She loved spending time at any art museum or musical event. As a teenager she was an usher for the Cincinnati Opera, which instilled her ardor for lifelong musical patronage. This culminated in over thirty years of support for the Toledo Symphony.
She was a member of countless community as well as business and professional organizations, enthusiastic about Zoar Lutheran Church, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the Toledo Symphony League, Phi Delta Kappa educational honorary, participating in book clubs, exploring the Maumee River Metro Parks, the Virginia Shenandoah Park, volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader, gardening, and always managed to be pulling weeds or moving rocks when Don was trying to go somewhere. She loved watching March Madness NCAA basketball and could give fascinating playbacks of her version of the game action. She would remark “I really feel like I know these boys.”
She is survived by her children as well as grandchildren, Caroline, Claire (Bryan), Annmarie (Joseph), Peter (Caroline), Nora (Zach), and great-grandson, Elliott. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Connie Lieder, and beloved Reichle family, Carol, Joyce, Susan, Dave, Sarah, Kevin, Jim, Lisa, Jen, Phil, Caleb,Nathaniel, Rachelle, Robby, Emily and Julia.
Donations may be made to the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Metro Parks or Zoar Lutheran Church in Ann’s name.
Friends and family will be received Friday, October 25, 2024, at Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, Perrysburg, from 4-7 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg, with a funeral service beginning at 11 a.m.
Burial will follow at Ft. Meigs Union Cemetery. After the burial, guests are welcome to attend a luncheon at Zoar Lutheran.
Our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Swan Creek Ohio Living for their twelve years of support and to the Hospice of Northwest Ohio team for their tender care of Ann.
Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.
