Harlan Leas 1923-2003

LEAS, EVANS, RUSH, PALMER, BEARDMORE

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 7/22/2003 at 05:48:50

H. Neil Leas, 79, of rural Waukon, died Sunday, April 13, 2003, at Northgate Care Center in

Waukon following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17 at 11:00

a.m. at Rossville Presbyterian Church in Rossville with Rev. Larry Gander officiating.

Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Harlan Neil Leas was born on November 25, 1923,

in Linton Township, Allamakee County, the son of Harry and Sarah (Evans) Leas. He was

baptized at Rossville Presbyterian Church. He attended rural Sixteen School and Waterville

High School before beginning farming with his father. On May 21, 1947, he was married to

Darlene Rush at the Rossville Presbyterian Church by Rev. A.H. Grossheim. Neil and Darlene

continued to farm with his parents until 1956, when they bought her parents' farm near

Rossville where they made their home. Along with farming, Neil also enjoyed working as a

mechanic and spent three years working for Hiram & Walker Sawmill in Prairie du Chien

fixing chain saws and small engines. Later, he bought and operated the Fred Leas Repair

Shop in Rossville. He moved the shop to Freilinger Construction in Volney in 1972, and in

1982, to his farm where his sons continue to operate the business. Neil was a lifelong

member of Rossville Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as reading

and working on antique cars. Survivors include his wife Darlene and sons James and David,

all of rural Waukon; a brother, Dale (Bernadine) Leas of Springfield, Mo.; two sisters,

Lucile Palmer and Evelyn Beardmore, both of Waukon; along with several nieces, nephews, and

cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harold.

Honorary casketbearers are Wilmer Monserud, Gordon Marti, George Decker, Jim Rush, Clem

Larkin, and Garry Barrett. Casketbearers are Jake Sweeney, Dennis Deal, Dean Bechtel, Brad

Freilinger, Ron Leas, and Dayton Fish.

©Waukon Standard 2003
-source: Waukon Standard April 17, 2003