Leuschen, Joseph F. (1920 - 2012)

LEUSCHEN, BAUMANN, SCHNEIDER, WILWERDING, GRELL, RUSSETT, KENKEL, SCHMITZ, FRIEDRICHSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/19/2013 at 10:50:13

Joseph E. Leuschen - Age 91

Joseph Eugene Leuschen was born on December 20, 1920 to Mathias and Mary (Baumann) Leuschen on the family farm near Westphalia, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia and attended St. Boniface Catholic School where he graduated with the Class of 1938.

He helped his father on the farm until he enlisted in the United States Army on April 1, 1942 and served as an aerial engineer, airplane mechanic, and as a top turret gunner on a B-17 during World War II. On his thirteenth mission, he was shot down and became a prisoner of war from July 1944 to April 1945. He was honorably discharged from military service on October 20, 1945 and returned home.

On November 25, 1948, he was united in marriage to Irene Schneider at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Eight children were born to this union: Robert, Thomas, Michael, Dale, LuAnn, Linda, Richard, and Kay.

Joseph worked as the Earling City Clerk on a temporary basis for twenty-eight years in conjunction with his employment at Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Earling where he worked from 1945 until his retirement in 1985.

He enjoyed gardening, bowling, playing cards, and spending time with his family. He was a 4th Degree Luke E. Hart General Assembly member of the Knights of Columbus Earling Council 1741 and served as a past financial secretary. Joseph was also a member of the Shelby County VFW Post No. 941, the Earling American Legion Post No. 615, and the Ex-POW’s of America.

Joseph died on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa, having attained the age of ninety-one years, one month, and eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene, and his sister Ann Wilwerding.

He is survived by his children: Robert Leuschen and his wife Connie of Holstein, Iowa, Thomas Leuschen and his wife Sharon of Omaha, Nebraska, Michael Leuschen and his wife Jeannine of Papillion, Nebraska, Dale Leuschen and his wife Kathy of Warrensburg, Missouri, LuAnn and her husband Will Grell of Hornick, Iowa, Linda and her husband J. Russett of Dubuque, Iowa, Richard Leuschen and his wife Barbara of Holstein, and Kay and her husband Lyle Kenkel of West Des Moines, Iowa; twenty-nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; sisters Norma Schmitz of Denison, Iowa and Ruth and her husband Don Friedrichsen of Council Bluffs, Iowa; brother Roman Leuschen and his wife Sally of Westphalia, Iowa; other family members and friends.

Rev. Michael Berner celebrated the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. The Patriot Guard led the procession to the church. Serving as casket bearers were Jeff Leuschen, Andy Leuschen, Nathan Leuschen, Zach Kenkel, Kyle Grell, and Tim Russett. Military Rites were performed at St. Joseph’s Cemetery by the Earling American Legion Post No. 615.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
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