Leon J. Wenzel

WENZEL

Posted By: Marthann (email)
Date: 12/11/2007 at 19:18:47

WENZEL, LEON J.
Denison Bulletin/Review
11/23/2007

Leon J. Wenzel, age 80, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at the Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa.

Leon Joseph Wenzel, the son of George and Clara (Riedmiller) Wenzel was born November 26, 1926. He was born on the Wenzel family farm located southeast of Wall Lake, Iowa. He lived his entire life on this farm, with the exception of years spent in the military during World War II.

He received his education by attending Viola No. 4-country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Wall Lake Community School in 1944.

On February 18, 1945, he entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Philippines, with the 333rd QM Battalion. Following his honorable discharge, on December 13, 1946, he returned to Wall Lake to take over the farming operation, where he farmed until the time of his death.

On August 16, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lois Marie Poeppe, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Mount Carmel, Iowa. To this union six daughters were born, Maureen, Jean, Jane, Diane, Carolyn, and Mary Ann. He always had a twinkle in his eye for his wife and family.

Leon was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wall Lake where he was baptized on November 29, 1926. His church was a major part of his life. He served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, usher, and weekday altar server.

He served on the Sac County Soil Conservation Board, the Corn Belt Telephone Company Board of Directors and was a member of the Wall Lake American Legion Chalon Post No. 262. His other interests and hobbies included traveling, family activities, history, reading, visiting with friends, and farming in general. He took very good care of his livestock and dairy cattle. He loved animals and his pet dogs. Farming was always on his mind. He took loving care of the land, was conservation minded, and was a pioneer of land irrigation.

He is survived by his wife Lois; six daughters and their husbands, Maureen (Thomas) Vonnahme of Vail, IA, Jean (Jerry) Waldschmitt of Remsen, IA, Jane (Ron) Morlok of Carroll, IA, Diane (Jeff) Chapman of Phoenix, AZ, Carolyn (Robert) Davidson of Omaha, NE, and Mary Ann (Gary) Schulte of Westside, IA; 17 grandchildren, Ryan Ranniger, Beth (Greg) Holdener, Michael Ranniger, Katie Ranniger, Maria Vonnahme, Rachel Davidson, Dan Waldschmitt, Michelle (Jaron) Bromm, Nicole Morlok, Ron Chapman, Stefanie Chapman, Jennifer (Adam) White, Steve (Lindsey) Schulte, Keith Schulte, Chris Schulte, Troy Schulte, and Angela Schulte; five great grandchildren, Anna and Joseph Bromm, Allison White, Baylie Schulte, and Colin Holdener. Other survivors include his two sisters and their husbands, Corinne (Duane) Melvin of Rochester, MN and Karen (Tom) Meade of Palmyra, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Keith. Mass of the Christian burial was at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, November 17, 2007, at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wall Lake, with Father John McGuirk officiating. Burial was in the Wall Lake Cemetery with military graveside rite provided by American Legion Chalon Post. No. 262 of Wall Lake. Friends called at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake from 4 to 8 on Friday where there was a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m.

Marthann Kohl-Fuhs
706-5th St.
Defiance, IA 51527