Gergen, Leo N. 1914-2004

GERGEN, MALGET, SCHNEIDER, PLATHE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/26/2014 at 14:03:56

Siouxland Press September 15, 2004

Leo N. Gergen, 90, of Alton, IA passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 at Orange City Municipal Hospital in Orange City, IA.

Leo was born June 4, 1914 the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Malget) Gergen of rural Alton, IA Leo was raised in the Alton area and received his education at St. Mary's Academy in Alton. He was then engaged in farming with his father near Alton. On May 29,1939 he married Mercedes Marie Schneider at Alton. They made their home near Alton where they were engaged in farming. In 1971 they moved into Alton and Leo continued farming until retiring in 1978. Mercedes died Aug. 18,1975.

On Jan. 28, 1980 he married Esther Plathe at Granville. They made their home in Alton. He had been a resident of the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen since Jan. 2003.His hobbies included bowling and following the Chicago Cubs. Farming was his first love and he was always proud of his "A" John Deere and his 630. One of his favorite quotes was "It ain't in the bin yet". He often talked about his horses, Jerry and Dewey and his dog, Pudge.

Funeral Service was 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton with Msgr. Kenneth Seifried and Rev. Timothy Johnson. Burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery in Alton Fisch Funeral Home of Remsen, IA was entrusted with arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Esther of LeMars, IA; two daughters, Sharon and her husbandHarry Timm of Goodhue, MN, Carol Olson ofCedar Rapids, IA; two sons and their wives, Ronald and Cindy of Charles City, IA, Dennis and Joyce of Alton; one daughter-in-law, Lela Gergen of Alton; five stepdaughters, Julie and her husband Craig Thomas of Cherokee, IA, Cheryl and her husband Rodney Buren of Sanborn, IA, Joyce and her husband Larry Anderson of LeMars, IA, Kim and her husband Jim Tiedeman of Orange City, IA, Jolene Tiedeman of Rock Valley, IA; one stepson, Duane and his wife Karen Plathe of Fairmont, MN; 12 grandchildren; 20 step grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren;
8 step great-grandchildren.

Leo was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Alton and the Knights of Columbus of Granville, IA. Casket Bearers were Dale, Donnie and Randy Gergen, John, Richard and Roger Ruhland. Honorary bearers were his grandchildren. Leo was preceded in death by one son, David; one stepdaughter, Diane Plathe; one daughter-in-law, Debra Gergen; two sisters, Mary Ruhland and Bertha Rodenbour; two brothers, Nic and Vincent. Friends called any time after 4:00 P.M. onMonday. There was a rosary at 5:00 P.M. by St. Mary's Rosary Society, a vigil prayer service at7:30 P.M. and a. rosary at 8:00 P.M. by the Knights of Columbus all at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton.

We would like to thank the Happy Siesta of Remsen for the excellent care that they gave to Leo for the last year and a half.