Biography

Gladys Vidella Swanette (Ekstedt) Leach was born on April 11, 1928 in Gary, Lake County, Indiana, United States, and died on June 2, 2019 in Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

Her parents were John Edward Ekstadt and Hilma Charlotte (Swanson) Ekstadt.

Gladys married Gene D. Kilmer on October 20, 1956 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. They divorced in June 1968.

Together they had the following children:

1. living son
2. Val Kilmer (1959-2025) actor.
3. Wesley Thomas Kilmer died 1976 at age 16

Gladys married William Bernard Leach on June 7, 1970 in Los Angeles County, California, United States, his second wife. He died in 1995.

From her obituary:

Gladys leaves behind a legion of friends who adore her. She was a beloved fixture of the Wickenburg community and was known as a sparkling and gracious hostess who had the kindest of hearts and an abundance of charm. She was an enthusiastic supporter of numerous charities, she loved music and dancing, she was an excellent horsewoman and always ALWAYS a superb and stylish dresser. A Life Member of Las Damas women's trail riding group, Gladys completed 47 of their annual Five-Day rides; but if you asked Gladys, it was FIFTY! We will always remember her story telling and jokes. No matter how many times she retold them, we listened with rapt attention waiting for the punch line. She is telling these same jokes to everyone in Heaven now and we can see all their faces glowing with anticipation.

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• Residence: Gary, Lake, Indiana, United States - 1930
• Residence: Moline, Rock Island, Illinois, United States - 1940
• Residence: Wickenburg, Arizona - Sep 16 2009
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Apr 3 2025, 22:24:48 UTC

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Source: The Dispatch, September 26, 1956, Page 37. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch/169517705/ : accessed April 3, 2025)

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References

1. Gladys Leach April 11, 1928 — June 2, 2019. "Heaven Just Got a Bit More Sparkle" https://www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gladys-leach
2. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199979482/gladys_vidella_swanet...: accessed April 3, 2025), memorial page for Gladys Vidella Swanette Ekstadt Kilmer Leach (11 Apr 1928–2 Jun 2019), Find a Grave Memorial ID 199979482; Cremated; Maintained by Pat R (contributor 46977706).
3. Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 3 2025, 22:26:11 UTC
4. Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Apr 3 2025, 23:08:47 UTC