Donald William Leonard

Donald William Leonard

DONALD W. LEONARD, 86, of Denver, CO, formerly of DeForest, WI, died at his home on April 8, 2016 after a very lengthy illness.  He was born in Madison, WI on August 30, 1929 to William and Tillie (Lee) Leonard of DeForest, WI.  He married LaVonne (Lonny) Hippe on February 18, 1950, and they recently observed their 66th wedding anniversary.  He further shared his long life with his children: Gary (Cindy) Leonard, Linda (Dr. Jonathan Singer) Leonard, and Michael (Margaret) Leonard.  His extended family includes his grandchildren: Elizabeth (Dominic) Sepich, Daniel (Charli) Leonard, Joshua (Lea) Singer, Dr. Zachary Singer, Noah Singer, Naomi Singer, Jacob (Christy) Leonard, Will Leonard, David (Deborah) Warner, Bryan (Carrie) Warner & Sarah Warner.  He was extremely proud of his great-grandchildren: Elijah Sepich, Annabel Sepich, Michael Singer, Rachel Warner and Ella Warner.  Two special friends are Megan Gorzalski and Julia Teitell.  He remained especially close to his many nieces and nephews: Alice Prill, Gerald (Pat) Skogen, Barbara Nabbefeld, Minette Lawrence, William (Judy) Hippe, Sheldon (Kathy)  Bergen, David (Barbara) Ingram, Vickie (Kenneth) Krantz, Steven (Kathy) Ingram, Lavina (David) Gerseth, Debra Bredensteiner, Barbara Fausett and Sue (Tom) Suter.  A special sister-in-law, Adeline Ingram, meant a lot to him as well.  Those many family reunions were very special to him!  His 20-year-old cat, Tacho Belle, misses the special comfort of his lap.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Arthur Leonard, his sisters Marie Bredensteiner and Charlotte Fausett, his brothers-in-law, Glenn Bredensteiner, George Fausett, Paul Skogen, Henry Hippe, Glen Bergen, Frank Ingram; his sisters-in law Lylia Leonard, Lorraine Skogen, Dorothy Hippe and Ellen Bergen.  Also predeceasing him were nieces and nephews, Dorothy Skogen, Lewellyn Skogen, Vera Skogen, Judy Bulwark and Cindy Ingram.  Don enjoyed many, many good times with all those who predeceased him, and continued to enjoy all of those who still were able to spend time and memories with him.

Don attended DeForest High School and was valedictorian of his high school class of 1947.  He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison until his marriage.  For 4 years he was Assistant Manager at the Piggly Wiggly Stores in Madison, WI.  He later worked at F.W. Means & Co./Aratex as a route salesman, eventually working his way up to General Manager in Evansville, IN, and then transferring to Appleton, WI (as GM,) when he retired in 1989, after working for the same company for 35 years.

A member of the Christian Faith Moravian Church, Don had a strong faith in God, whom he served in many capacities within the Church and outside of the Church.  

In his 'spare time,' Don enjoyed reading, studying, gardening, carpentry, fishing and boating.  He also cheered on the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos.  More than anything, he loved being with his family.  He was also a 'man of numbers,' so it's interesting that he died on 4/8/16.  His wit and humor will be missed by many.  He is now at peace.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Christian Faith Moravian Church at 805 E. Holum Street, DeForest, WI 53532, with the Reverend Jane Harberg officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in the name of Don Leonard can be made to Christian Faith Moravian Church or The Salvation Army of Green Valley, AZ, or to the Green Valley Food Bank, in Green Valley, AZ where he devoted much of his time and service.