GRATIOT - William David Leitzen, age 95 of Gratiot, WI, died on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County. He was born on January 17, 1919 to John and Mary (Berg) Leitzen, Jr. He attended Tiger Whip School in Jo Daviess County. On June 30, 1942, he married Bernadine Ewing at Holy Cross Church in Stockton, IL. Bill farmed with his dad on the family homestead in Lena, IL. Bill and Bernadine farmed in Lena and Stockton, IL before buying a farm in Gratiot in 1958. They shared 68 years of marriage, and Bernadine preceded him in death on October 30, 2010. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and of AMPI. He loved fishing, gardening, spending time with his family - especially his grandchildren - and taking care of his farm animals.
Bill is survived by his children: Roger (Kay) Leitzen of Milaca, MN,
Carol (John) McDaniel of Darlington,
Alan (Kathy) Leitzen of Roberts, WI,
Debra (Ted) Kieffer of Dodgeville;
10 grandchildren: Tonya (Tony) Ray of Mankato, MN,
Tenille Leitzen of Milaca, MN,
Christine (Howard) Hill of Highland Park, IL,
Richard (Amy) McDaniel of Darlington,
Bonnie McDaniel of Columbus,
Tamara (Todd) Pettijohn of Elkhorn,
Angela Leitzen of Roberts,
Matthew (Sandy) Leitzen of McFarland,
Kurtis Keiffer of Dodgeville,
Shane Kieffer of Dodgeville,
4 step-grandchildren: Michael and Kayla Ray, Kristina Neff, Michelle (Justin) Monson;
10 great-grandchildren: Lily and Leon Leitzen, Emma and Bridgit Hill, Erica Halvorson, Cole and Courtney Pettijohn, Janelle Olson, Zachary and Tyler Leitzen;
10 step-great-grandchildren: Cory, Chayse, and Cashton Hermanson, Jennifer and Timothy Bronson, Joseph Turpin, Kaylee and Alex Neff, Adelynn and Chase Monson,
a step-great-great-grandson, Alexander Hartington;
his brother-in-law, Byron (Arbutus Schumacher) Ewing of Muscoda;
numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his grandson, Michael Leitzen in 2011, and his 17 siblings: Ralph Leitzen, Robert Leitzen, Lucille Aurand, Irene Becker; half siblings: Clara Pollard, Matthew Leitzen, Oscar Leitzen, Florence Lamen, Thomas Leitzen, Mary McEntee, Rosa Parker, Walter Leitzen, Our Darling Boy, Henry Leitzen, Lawrence Leitzen, Albert Letizen, Alfred Leitzen; and his brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot, WI with Fr. Joji Reddy Thirumalareddy officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Stockton, IL. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on Monday, April 21, 2014 at STEIL CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 206 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, WI.
www.darlingtonfuneralhome.com
608-776-2461
Bill is survived by his children: Roger (Kay) Leitzen of Milaca, MN,
Carol (John) McDaniel of Darlington,
Alan (Kathy) Leitzen of Roberts, WI,
Debra (Ted) Kieffer of Dodgeville;
10 grandchildren: Tonya (Tony) Ray of Mankato, MN,
Tenille Leitzen of Milaca, MN,
Christine (Howard) Hill of Highland Park, IL,
Richard (Amy) McDaniel of Darlington,
Bonnie McDaniel of Columbus,
Tamara (Todd) Pettijohn of Elkhorn,
Angela Leitzen of Roberts,
Matthew (Sandy) Leitzen of McFarland,
Kurtis Keiffer of Dodgeville,
Shane Kieffer of Dodgeville,
4 step-grandchildren: Michael and Kayla Ray, Kristina Neff, Michelle (Justin) Monson;
10 great-grandchildren: Lily and Leon Leitzen, Emma and Bridgit Hill, Erica Halvorson, Cole and Courtney Pettijohn, Janelle Olson, Zachary and Tyler Leitzen;
10 step-great-grandchildren: Cory, Chayse, and Cashton Hermanson, Jennifer and Timothy Bronson, Joseph Turpin, Kaylee and Alex Neff, Adelynn and Chase Monson,
a step-great-great-grandson, Alexander Hartington;
his brother-in-law, Byron (Arbutus Schumacher) Ewing of Muscoda;
numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his grandson, Michael Leitzen in 2011, and his 17 siblings: Ralph Leitzen, Robert Leitzen, Lucille Aurand, Irene Becker; half siblings: Clara Pollard, Matthew Leitzen, Oscar Leitzen, Florence Lamen, Thomas Leitzen, Mary McEntee, Rosa Parker, Walter Leitzen, Our Darling Boy, Henry Leitzen, Lawrence Leitzen, Albert Letizen, Alfred Leitzen; and his brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gratiot, WI with Fr. Joji Reddy Thirumalareddy officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Stockton, IL. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on Monday, April 21, 2014 at STEIL CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 206 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, WI.
www.darlingtonfuneralhome.com
608-776-2461