GELDER, Leonard 1924-2010

GELDER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/16/2010 at 20:00:45

Leonard Edwin Gelder, 86 of Wellsburg passed away May 15, 2010, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. Funeral services were held at the Wellsburg Reformed Church in Wellsburg. Burial followed at the Wellsburg Reformed Church Cemetery. A military service was conducted by the Wellsburg AMVETS Post No. 91 and the American Legion Post No. 213.

Leonard was born on January 30, 1924, in Ledyard, to his parents Dick and Marie Gelder. When Leonard was in the third grade he and his family moved to Wellsburg. He graduated from Cooper Elementary School in rural Wellsburg. At the age of 18, Leonard volunteered to serve his country in the United States Army, during World War II. He served stateside and also overseas. He was stationed in Italy and worked as a cook on the frontlines.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army he returned to the states and was united in marriage to his wife Kathleen on November 26, 1946. They were married at Kathleen’s parent’s farm home, on her parent’s anniversary. They made their home in Wellsburg and welcomed three children to their family.

Leonard began his career as a carpenter in 1946 working for his brother Stoffer and Dick Thorne, then in partnership with Wallace Meyer. Then on his own in 1961 he purchased the cabinet shop and was owner and operator of that until his retirement in 1997. He also designed and built the current Doyen-Abels Funeral Home. He was proud to be the designer and builder of custom cabinets and homes over the years.

Leonard was a member the Wellsburg American Legion. He was a very active member in the Wellsburg Reformed Church. There he served as a Deacon, and Elder. Leonard loved to visit many folks in nursing homes and shut ins at home. This was done every week if possible. He spoke Platt German for the enjoyment of many of the elderly folk. He did this until his own health declined.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Roger (Linda) Gelder of Cody, Wyo. and Lee (Domanic) Gelder of Wellsburg; seven grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Harmina, Violet, Annie and Fannie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son, James Robert; and seven brothers and one sister.
--Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 May 2010