Wasmer, Leonard R. 1872-1946

WASMER, WALLACE

Posted By: Janet Brown, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/6/2013 at 10:17:38

From the Friday, May 10, 1946 LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel:

L R. Wasmer Died In Chicago May 8

Was For Many Years Local Business Man

L. R. Wasmer, well known former LeMars resident, died at his home in Chicago on Wednesday evening, following a heart attack.

Mr. Wasmer owned and operated the Wasmer Laundry in LeMars for forty years and retired several years ago, moving to Chicago, where he has since made his home. He was preceded in death by his son, John Wasmer, who was the first man from LeMars to die during World War I. The American Legion local unit, Wasmer Post was named in his honor. Mr. Wasmer was also preceded in death by his wife, who died March 15, 1943. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. E. Tentinger of Deerfield, Illinois, and Mrs. J. M. Powell of Chicago and one granddaughter, Mary Kay Tentinger.

The body will be brought to Le Mars for burial and will arrive Sunday morning. Funeral services will be held at St. James church Monday morning at 9 o'clock, with burial in St. James cemetery with Luken's in charge.

From the Thursday, May 16, 1946 Hawarden Independent:

L. R. Wasmer, an early day resident of Hawarden, died at his home in Chicago on Wednesday evening, May 8, following a heart attack. His remains were brought to Le Mars, arriving there Sunday. Funeral services were held at St. James church in Le Mars at 9 o'clock Monday morning, with burial in St. James cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tentinger and Mr. and Mrs. M. J. McNally of Hawarden attended the service.

The deceased was born at Syracuse, N. Y. on March 23, 1872. When he was five years old, he came to Le Mars. In 1894, he was united in marriage with Dorothy Wallace. He came to Hawarden the same year and operated a laundry here. In 1914, he returned to Le Mars, where he was in the same business. Three years ago he retired and moved to Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his wife and one son, who died in World War I and after whom the Wasmer American Legion post at Le Mars was named. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Ed Tentinger of Deerfield, Ill., and Mrs. J. M. Powell of Chicago, both of whom accompanied the remains to Le Mars.

Poster's note: In the 1925 Iowa census for Plymouth County, Leonard Wasmer gives his father's name as Leonard Wasmer but his mother's name is not given.