Obit: Stewart, Leo E. #2 (1920 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Stewart, Johnson, Okonski, Braun, Strohkirch, Petersen, Harvey, Rasmussen, Fahrenbach, Gautche, Jarocki, Klay, Poppe, Venet, Cain, Amacher

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) January 11, 2012

Stewart, Leo E. (8 April 1920 - 3 January 2012)

Leo E. Stewart, 91, Withee, died on January 3, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

A Memorial Service for Leo was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012, at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee, with Rev. Bonnie Cain and Rev. Nancy Amacher officiating. Visitation with family and friends was from 1:00 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church.  Marina-Schilling Funeral Service of Owen assisted the family with the arrangements.

Inurnment was in Riverside Cemetery in Withee following the Memorial Service.  Honorary urn escorts were William Gautche, Richard Jarocki, Walt Klay, Art Petersen, Bud Poppe and Ray Venet. 

Leo E., Stewart was born on April 8, 1920, in rural Withee, the son of Guy and Anna (nee Johnson) Stewart.  He received his education from the rural Poppe School, Withee.

On August 15, 1942, Leo was joined in marriage to Amy Okonski at the Owen Congregational Church and together had three daughters. The young couple farmed in the Town of Longwood for 40 years.  Leo spent his life buying and selling cattle.  Leo and Amy made the move to Withee in 1982 where he was able to live until his death.  They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in 1992.  A special 90^th birthday celebration was held May 30, 2010, at the Meadowview Golf Course. 

He will be dearly missed by his family and friends, including his three daughters: Patricia (Clayton ) Braun of Greenwood, WI, Nancy (John) Strohkirch of Murfreesboro, TN, and Sheila (Donald ‘Duke’) Petersen of Kerrville, TX; five grandchildren: Perry (Michelle) Braun of Abbotsford, WI, Kelly (Kyrsten) Braun of St. Paul, MN, Jason (Christy) Strohkirch of Paducah, KY, Julie (Michael) Harvey of Murfreesboro, TN, and Jolene (Andy) Rasmussen of Trempealeau, WI.  He also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren: Leo, Taylor, Stewart, Alec and Benjamin Braun and Grady and Carly Harvey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Hazel Fahrenbach; and five brothers: Glen, Forrest, Earl, Dale and Donald.