Leo P. Breitbach

BREITBACH, RIES, CHRISTOPHER, OBERFORLL, FOX, RANG, BEAU, LANGAS, FAUST, HEIM, HAMPTON, EISENHOWER

Posted By: Cheryl Moonen (email)
Date: 4/13/2014 at 17:32:57

From the March 11, 2009 edition of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Leo P. Breitbach, 95, of 1796 Lawndale St., died peacefully Sunday, March 8, 2009, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque. He was a quiet man who devoted his life to his family, friends and country.

Graveside services will be at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Center Grove Cemetery, with the Rev. Dianne Christopher, lead pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, officiating. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Dubuque Post 6. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Road, where there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friends also may call after 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

He was born on Feb. 4, 1914, in Rickardsville, Iowa, son of Louis and Mary (Ries) Breitbach. Although Leo was bright, he left school at age 15 to help support his family. Like many of his generation, he had no time for a childhood and was forced to grow up fast.

Leo served his country during World War II in the Army for four years, serving three years overseas. He served as a cook, preparing meals for both famous generals and regular G.I.s. Leo said it was easy to cook meals for the Generals Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley because someone always made sure he had the proper ingredients. For the regular G.I.s, Leo was given simple ingredients, but always managed to make something that tasted of home. He believed that everyone was important, and knew that the hot meal he made for them could be their last.

He married Dora Mae "Doty" Oberfoell Fox on Sept. 26, 1946, in Galena, Ill.; she preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 2006. Doty was a divorcee with five children, but Leo treated them as if they were his own. He built their home on Lawndale Street along with his father-in-law.

Leo worked for John Deere Dubuque Works, running the cafeteria for 17 years. He then went to work in the plant for the next 23 years. He catered many events for John Deere, and always included his whole family when he did this.

After retirement, he stayed busy with his family. Leo loved to talk politics and loved watching the Cubs. A lifelong resident of Iowa, he never went much further than the tri-state area, he had all he needed right here.

Surviving are five children, Darlene (Ken) Rang, Gloria (Gene) Beau, Betty (Phillip) Langas, John Fox and Sharon Fox, all of Dubuque; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Frank, Alfred and Jack; and four sisters, Philomena Breitbach, Bernice Faust, Mabel Heim and Stella Hampton.