Obit: Matthias, Leonard E. "Lenny" (1923 - 2004)

Contact: History Buffs

Surnames: Matthias, Kieselhorst, Magdanz, Reiser, Kadolph, Engelbrecht, McKenzie

----Sources: Sheboygan Press (Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wis.) 08/07/2004

Matthias, Leonard E. "Lenny" (8 July 1923 - 1 Aug. 2004)

Leonard E. "Lenny" Matthias, Neenah, age 81, died unexpectedly Sunday, August 1, 2004, at Theda Clark Medical Center. He was born July 8, 1923 in Loyal, son of Albert and Alma (Kieselhorst) Matthias. Len married Jeanette Magdanz, June 1, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah. Lenny founded the Neenah Dairy Queen in 1946, which he owned and operated until he sold it to Archie Reiser in 1966. Lenny initiated the Dilly wagon in the late 1950s and operated it until 1972. He was employed as a machinist with Hafemeister Machine Company for 20 years prior to his retirement in 1986. He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II and was a volunteer at Theda Clark Medical Center in the CCU for nearly 20 years.

Len is survived by his wife, Jeanette; his sons, Terry Matthias, Wauwatosa; and Steve (Chris) Matthias, Sherwood; two grandchildren Emily Matthias, Madison and Brooke Matthias, Sherwood; a sister, Lucille Kadolph, Loyal.

Lenny was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law Hillus Kadolph.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2004, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Revs. Douglas J. Engelbrecht and Tony McKenzie officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Weyauwega. Friends may call at the Kessler Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of the service. Memorials have been established for Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah and the Theda Clark Hospital Auxiliary.