Leonard Aloysius Milder, 24 Sep 1931 - 04 Feb 2022

MILDER, SMITH, NAGEL, LUNDEEN, KOSTER, WEARS, THUL, SULLY, KROUL, KASPER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 2/14/2022 at 15:16:19

Leonard Aloysius Milder, 90, of Solon, Iowa, died peacefully at Solon Retirement Village on February 4, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Solon, with Father Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Solon. Visitation will be held from 4 - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at St. Mary’s Church, Solon, followed by a rosary and vigil beginning at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church, Solon. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Solon is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard was born September 24, 1931, in Muscatine, Iowa, to John and Gertrude (Smith) Milder, the 14th of 17 children. In 1950, immediately following high school, he was living in Iowa City working for Coca-Cola as a route driver. Leonard married Marilyn Lu Nagel in March 1956 in Burlington, Iowa. Together, they had four children and built several homes together in Iowa City, Coralville and Solon. He was employed by Coca-Cola for nineteen years, working his way up to management level. He began his career in vending services at the University of Iowa in 1969. He was the first manager of vending services in the University’s history, establishing the very first vending service on campus. Leonard retired from this position in 1989.

Following retirement, Leonard and Marilyn enjoyed being snowbirds in Texas each winter. They also traveled together to many countries, including Europe, Australia, Russia and New Zealand. In 2013 they visited 7 different countries. Additionally, Leonard enjoyed camping with their family, woodworking, and was an avid Hawkeye sports fan. He and Marilyn were Hawkeye football and basketball season ticket holders since the 1960’s.

Leonard is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Marilyn, and his four children, Debra Lundeen (Kent) of Moline, Illinois, Douglas (Carol) of Pocatello, Idaho, Diane Koster (Kevin) of Davenport, Iowa, and Donna Wears (Brent) of Solon, Iowa; six grandchildren, Nicholas Thul (Tara) of Bettendorf, Iowa, Meagan Sully (Gary) of Pocatello, Idaho, Emily Kroul (Cody) of Salmon, Idaho, Anna Milder of Pocatello, Idaho, Ryan Lundeen (Samantha) of Chicago, Illinois, and Colton Wears (Natalie) of Marengo, Iowa; three great-granddaughters, Audrey Jean, Harper Jade, and Millie Rose; and his three siblings, Gerald, Eugene (Betty), and Patricia Kasper (Glenn).

He was preceded in death by his parents; thirteen siblings, and granddaughter, Lindsay Marie Thul.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in his name.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Solon Retirement Village and Care Center for their loving care of Leonard.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Published in The Gazette on February 7, 2022.