Kilker, Leonard 1925-2006

KILKER, ROERIG, PLETSCHETTE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/16/2010 at 15:26:18

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, April 10, 2006

Leonard Kilker, 80, of Le Mars died Friday April 7, 2006 at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Leonard John Kilker was born June 2, 1925, on the family farm in America Township east of Le Mars, the son of George Kilker, Sr. and Barbara (Roerig) Kilker. He grew up near Le Mars and attended St. Joseph's Catholic School. He entered into the service with the U.S. Army in 1946 and was stationed in Japan with the occupational forces following the Japanese surrender. In 1947 he was honorably discharged and returned home to Le Mars.

Leonard married Lorraine Pletschette Feb. 16, 1949, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. Leonard was employed for a few years after the war with Wiltgen Construction and then farmed for 10 years from 1952 to 1962. In 1962 the couple moved back into Le Mars, where Leonard again was employed with Wiltgen Construction until 1966. He then was employed by Le Mars Plumbing and Heating for 15 years.

He worked on his own for a few years and then with DeYoung Construction until his retirement in 1985. During his retirement years Leonard worked with Bob Schroeder in Le Mars from 1993 to 2003.

Leonard was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the American Legion, Wasmer Post 241. He was a fireman for the Le Mars Fire Department from 1968 to 1980.

Leonard was an avid Cubs fan. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and fishing. He also enjoyed cooking outdoors on the grill, preparing rotisserie chicken. His favorite pastime during his retirement years was playing cards with his friends at the Legion Club.

Leonard had a great sense of humor that he shared with everyone.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years Lorraine; five children, Patricia Kilker of Aurora, Colo., Daniel Kilker of Livermore, Colo., David Kilker of Le Mars, Timothy Kilker and his wife, Christi of Le Mars, and Richard Kilker of Denver, Colo.; two grandchildren, Angela and Jason Kilker; a brother, George Kilker and his wife, Helen of Oyens; a sister, Rosemary Liesner of Remsen; a brother-in-law Jim Wolf and his wife, Arlene of Remsen; a sister-in-law, Mercedes Kilker of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary in infancy; a son, Thomas Kilker; six sisters, Elizabeth Meis, Margaretta Wolf, Xaveris Fiedler, Barbara Ellen Kilker, Kathryn Fiedler and Maxine Rolling; and two brothers Donald and Robert Kilker.

A Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Kevin Richter officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with graveside military honors conducted by the American LegionWasmer Post 241.

Visitation was after 2 p.m. Sunday at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a rosary at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday.

Pallbearers will be six nephews, Bruce Koerselman, Rich Steffen, Glen Rolling, Eugene Wolf, Robert Fiedler and Ken Meis.