Obit: Leffel, Leonard (1926 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Brandl, Jaeger, Justman, Leffel, Manecke, Martyn, Nelson, Sowell

----Source: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 7/15/2018

Leffel, Leonard (18 JUL 1926 - 12 JUL 2018)

Leonard Leffel, age 91, of Colby, formerly of Fenwood, met his Lord and Savior Thursday, July 12, 2018. He passed away at Colby Retirement Center.

Leonard was born July 18, 1926, to the late Herman and Myrtle (Jaeger) Leffel in the town of Wien. He married Carla Manecke on May 29, 1946, at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, Stratford. After their marriage, they farmed in the town of Cleveland.

The couple moved to Fenwood in 1952, where they operated a trucking business, Len Leffel & Sons Inc. Leonard has been described as the go-to man in the early road construction days, finding a way to get the job done. A confident leader, Leonard was the village of Fenwood president, overseeing the sanitary sewer construction in the village. He was also council president of St. Peter Lutheran Church of Fenwood and a charter member of the Fenwood Lions Club. He was a member of the North Central Wisconsin Antique Steam & Gas Engine Club and was proud to say he attended the show every August of its 45 year history.

Leonard enjoyed socializing with friends and family. He was known as a great storyteller and also sang many of his favorite songs, especially to his grandchildren. They all remember “A Lonely Little Robin.”

Survivors include five children, Beverly Brandl, Colby, Daniel (Rose) Leffel and James (Lynn) Leffel, all of Fenwood, Judy Justman, Wausau and John (Julie) Leffel, Fenwood; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a special friend, Lorraine Martyn, Edgar; one brother-in-law, Rodell (Irene) Manecke, Stratford; two sisters-in-law, Margie Manecke, Edgar and Arla Mae Manecke, Stratford.

Leonard is welcomed into eternal life by his parents; his wife, Carla; one son, Roger; two sons-in-law, Harley Nelson and Richard Brandl; one granddaughter and one great-grandson in infancy; one brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Nancy Leffel.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 16, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA, (W1000 Highway N, Edgar, WI) in the town of Wien, Marathon County. Rev. Gail Sowell presided. The visitation was from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Monday, all at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford, assisted the family.

The Leffel family wishes to express gratitude to Aspirus Hospice and the Colby Retirement Community for their loving care and support.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.