Leonhart, Dean M. -- 1925 - 1999

TORGERSON, LEONHART, HALVORSON, GALLAGHER, WIKAN

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 6/3/2010 at 18:15:21

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, Oct 12, 1999.

Dean Leonhart, 74, of Burr Oak, died at his home Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999, after a short illness.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m., at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, with the Rev. Barbara Wangsness officiating.

Kathy Tollefsrud was the organist. Mary Arneson, the soloist, sang "The
Old Rugged Cross" and "The Lord's Prayer." The congregation sang
"Amazing Grace" and "Eternal Father."

Casket bearers were Daniel Spilde, Thomas Gallagher, Matthew Leonhart, Patrick Gallagher, Rob Wikan, Jason Leonhart and Tyler Gallagher.

Interment was at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak. The French & Balik Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Dean was born March 30, 1925, in Bluffton Township of rural Winneshiek County, the son of Martin and Katherine (Torgerson) Leonhart. He attended country school in Bluffton Township.

Dean married Marilynn Halvorson Feb. 4, 1945, at the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. They farmed near Bluffton. Dean also drove school bus for North Winneshiek Schools from 1962 until he retired in 1987. He enjoyed fishing and watching the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Survivors include his wife, Marilynn of Bluffton; two daughters, Mary and John Gallagher of Burr Oak, and Kathy and Ron Wikan of Prairie du Chien, Wis.; two sons, Bill and Sue Leonhart of Guttenberg, and Fred and Cindy Leonhart of Bluffton; grandchildren Deana Hageman and husband John, Daniel Spilde and wife Wendy, Thomas, Patrick and Tyler Gallagher, Matthew and Jennifer Leonhart, Rob Wikan and wife J.J., Mendy Wikan, and Jason and Kristin Leonhart; and great grandchildren Megan Hageman. Hailey and Hunter Spilde, and Aspen Wikan.

Dean Leonhart was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Linda Leonhart; daughter Carol Spilde and her husband Fritz; and one grandchild.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.