Leonard Harvey Reek, age 92, of Weyauwega, devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, relative, and friend passed into eternal life on Saturday, April 26, 2014 into the loving arms of the Lord.
He was born on Wednesday, March 29, 1922, in the Town of Lind, Waupaca County, to Otto and Clara (Hennig) Reek. He was a faithful servant to the Lord, and was a lifelong member of St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Weyauwega. He was baptized there on April 30, 1922, confirmed on April 14, 1937 and also attended St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Grade School. Len enlisted into the U. S. Army on September 23, 1942, serving in World War II in the 608th John Deere Battalion. He was honorably discharged on November 28, 1945. Leonard married Jean Elizabeth Stearns on April 21, 1943 in Pomona, California. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in 2008. After his army discharge, he joined his father’s hardware business, Otto Reek & Sons in Weyauwega, and owned it until 2002. He was an excellent tin smith, and was always known for having any thing anyone needed in the store. In the early 1950’s, he took over the family farm near Weyauwega. Later after selling the herd, he continued to work the land and afterwards rent it. The beautiful Waupaca River running through the family farm was loved and enjoyed by many during the years Len and Jean lived there. He also drove school bus for the Weyauwega School District for many years. Len and Jean enjoyed many years of traveling, camping, snowmobiling with friends, long Sunday drives, his John Deere tractors, and spending time with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Leonard is survived by three daughters: Carole (Garrett) Nemec, Houston, TX; Bonnie (Stephen) Timm, West Bloomfield; Marcia Harris, Milwaukee; son-in-law, Michael O’Donnell, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; grandchildren: Chad (Diana), Todd (Erin), Craig, Elizabeth, Trevor (Jeannie), Jassmin, Jordan (Leah), Elgin, Jean, Alexanna, and Morgan; great-grandchildren: Luke, Cassidy, Elliana, Taylin, Daniel, Lauren, Turner, Darin, Henry, Celia, Kevin, Justin, and Ashlynn; a sister Alice (Don) Sebald, a brother-in-law William Stearns, and a sister-in-law Lois Pozolinski; also nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Jean, his parents, brothers Ernest and Marlyn, sisters Erma and Dorothy, daughter Gwen O’Donnell, grandsons, Sean Tedesko and Brandon Timm.
The Christian Funeral for Leonard will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Weyauwega with Rev. Dennis Lemke and Rev. Newlin Schafer officiating. Full Military Honors will be held at the church immediately following the service. The committal service will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Weyauwega. A visitation for Leonard will be held directly at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church. Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. The family would like extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to the physicians and staff at Appleton Medical Center, nurses and staff at Park Vista, Brewster Village, and Carolina Manor for their excellent care provided to Leonard.