GRAESER, Leonard Henry 1917-2016

GRAESER, MILLER, HENDERSON

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 8/17/2016 at 21:34:33

U.S. VETERAN

Obituary for Leonard H. Graeser

Leonard H. Graeser, age 98, of Waverly, Iowa, died Saturday, February 27, 2016, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home - Olson Chapel in Nashua, Iowa. Interment will be in Sunnyside Memory Gardens, rural Charles City, Iowa.

Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home - Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Leonard Henry Graeser was born October 28, 1917, in Waverly, Iowa, the son of Henry F. and Elsia (Miller) Graeser. He attended Hogan country school in rural, Nashua, and graduated from Nashua High School in 1936. Leonard worked for the McGregor's for 5 years as a farm-hand.

In 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in World War II, and while fighting in North Africa, was captured as a POW and taken to Germany. He was a POW in Germany for two years and three months. Leonard and four others escaped the facility and stole bikes to ride toward the American Line. They traveled during the day by bike, and hid during the night until they reached the American Troops. Leonard returned to the States in 1945.

Leonard was united in marriage to Shirley Henderson on October 12, 1946, at the United Methodist Church in Nashua. To this union one daughter, Diane was born. The couple moved to Brookfield , Illinois, to find work. They lived in Brookfield from 1946 - 1979. Leonard worked as a welder during this time on several large power plants in the Chicago area. Shirley and Leonard retired to Waverly, Iowa, in 1979.

Leonard enjoyed going to area county fairs, and high school sporting events in the area. He also enjoyed helping on his brother's farms. Leonard had a love for horses. He never missed watching the Kentucky Derby on TV. In addition, he was fortunate enough to spend some time with the Budweiser Clydesdale team on several occasions.

Leonard was an active member of the Ralph Nicholson VFW Post in Nashua. In 2011, he went on the honor flight flying from Waterloo to Washington D.C. Leonard enjoyed reminiscing with fellow veterans and seeing the monuments and memorials in D.C.

Leonard is survived by his daughter, Diane (Bill) Freestate of Waverly, Iowa; brother, Merle (Violet) Graeser of Plainfield, Iowa; two sisters, Margaret Jensen of Waverly, Iowa, Jeannette White of Waverly, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley in 2012; two brothers, Gilbert and Elmer Graeser; three sisters: Laura Powell, Helen Lillich, and Florence Roberts.

Memorials may be directed to the Ralph Nicholson VFW Post # 6792 101 E. Main Nashua, IA 50658.

Source: Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home website