Obituary

Gisele Pratt Leeder born Marie Diane Gisele Pratt was 95 years young when she died on November 18, 2025, in her daughter’s arms surrounded by family. Gisele was born in New York, New York. She spent her formative years in Teaneck, NJ, family years in Waldwick and White Meadow Lake, NJ, Fremont, CA. Empty nest and twilight years in Las Vegas, NV, Walnut Creek, CA, Harrisonville, MO, and Lee’s Summit, MO.

Her parents Frobby (Paul) Lactance Pratt and Rose (Herbert) Pratt and sister Helen Rose (Pratt) Collins and niece Lorraine Ellen (Collins) Kinzie have proceeded her in death.

Gisele graduated from the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent Boarding School, NY, Class of 1948. She then went on to graduate from Secretarial School and secured her first job as a secretary with Merrill Lynch. She met and married Theodore Leeder in 1951 and subsequently had 3 daughters. She volunteered with many organizations, most notably she was a Girl Scout Leeder, a Daisy Troop Leeder and her volunteer work at San Jose Braille Center for 10 years. She was a business owner and worked at a variety of jobs throughout the years. Gisele was active in the Red Hatters, Bunco club in Harrisonville, enjoyed the occasional pulling of a one-armed bandit, reading books (lots and lots and lots of books), hosted weekly women’s bible studies, played cards, dominos, bingo and any other games that were fun and social. She loved to travel and went on several cross-country adventures by herself and sometimes with a companion in a pick-up truck pulling a camper trailer or simply by car. One of her favorite trips was with her great niece; they traveled across the country experiencing new things like white water rafting. Another favorite trip was to Alaska, then across Canada, down to Missouri, across to Florida, up to Massachusetts, back to Missouri and then finally to Florida, took 6 months! She also went on shorter adventures to mine for different gems, opals and gold; and a trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade with her travel buddy. Gisele was an active member of the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, in Lee’s Summit, MO.

Surviving family members include her youngest daughter Allison Elaine (Leeder) Lowderman and her husband Mark, 2 older daughters; 5 grandchildren and significant others: Jason Paul Quigley Lowderman, Margaret Stonestreet, Jennifer Rose Stonestreet, Amy Laraine Stonestreet, and Kevin Neal Mahoney. Great granddaughters Isabelle Grace Lowderman and Morgan Faith Lowderman; Nieces Sharon and Valerie Ann (Collins) Wolfe; Great niece Jessica Eastman and great, great niece Abigail Pollard.

No formal visitation or services per request. She will be remembered as a part of the Powell Gardens Memory Garden.