Leonard, Maurice Orville (1920-2016)
LEONARD, SCHROEDER, MARTINEK, ELLISON, CONOVER, SINNS
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 3/21/2016 at 15:27:23
Maurice Orville Leonard
March 11, 1920 - February 16, 2016Maurice O. Leonard, age 95, of Storm Lake, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at Fonda Specialty Care in Fonda, Iowa.
Maurice was born in Holstein on March 11, 1920, to Hiram and Christina (Schroeder) Leonard. After graduating from Holstein High School, he enrolled at the University of Iowa. While there, he was called in 1941 to the US Army to serve his country. Stationed for a time in Michigan, Montana, California, and Nebraska, he served in the Coast Artillery. Then, he transferred to the US Army Airforce where he became a flight engineer on the B-24 Liberator Bomber on Kodiak Island off Alaska. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
Following his military service, Maurice worked for General Electric in Omaha. While in Omaha, he met Lillian Cecava, the love of his life, whom he married on June 7, 1947. Two daughters were born to their union, Cynthia Kay and DiAnne Jo. Pursuing his passion for the land, Maurice worked for the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in Guthrie Center. In 1955, however, he moved to Storm Lake where he continued working for the SCS until he retired in 1980. Then, he serviced fire extinguishers, worked at Lake Hardware, and transported new and used cars for various dealerships.
An avid reader, Maurice enjoyed historical, non-fiction works about the Civil War and World War II. In time, he amassed a gun collection which many envied, given the number of vintage guns he owned. Eventually, however, he sold his collection and pursued collecting other items such as Hummel figurines, plates, and Meerschaum pipes.
Maurice also enjoyed having coffee with friends at Hy-Vee and Hardees. Even in his 80s, he would set off on the two mile walk each morning to Hy-Vee. Nonetheless, his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children and grandchildren. With examples, words, and deeds, he made a difference in the lives of everyone who knew him.
Maurice is survived by his wife, Lillian, of Storm Lake; his daughters, Dr. Cynthia Martinek (Jerold), of Belmond, Iowa, and Dr. DiAnne Leonard (Neil Ellison,) of Danville, Pennsylvania; his grandchildren, Christopher and Katherine Martinek and Ross, Seth, and Todd Ellison; a sister, Mary Conover; and a sister-in-law, Gloria Leonard, of Holstein; as well as by numerous nephews and nieces.
Maurice was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeremy Martinek; his brothers, Abraham (Grace), Herbert Arnold (Marvel), Jesse (Laurel), Elvin (Irene), Ransom (Evelyn), George (Dolores), and William; and his sister, Viola Sinns (Nicholas).
A Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, February 19, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Holstein Cemetery in Holstein, Iowa, with military rites by the Holstein American Legion Post #225. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Healthcare Foundation, or the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
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