David Russell Leitner, 71, of Waupaca passed away on July 12, 2022 at Bethany Home in Waupaca, Wisconsin under the care of ThedaCare hospice from an aggressive cancer.
He was born at home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 1, 1951. He attended Milwaukee Lutheran High-School and Nicolet High school in Milwaukee. He later moved to the Waupaca area and attended the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. He had a long career as a union carpenter in the Central Wisconsin area.
He married Cara Dowsett in Milwaukee on Nov. 27, 1971. They were married for 22 years and had two sons, Grahm Leitner (grandsons Sava and Levon) and Paul Leitner. He later enjoyed 20 years with his partner Amy Ording and her son Teagan Phelps.
David described himself as a lone wolf, though he loved conversing and had a wealth of knowledge. We will miss his sharp witt and phenomenal memory. As a young man he learned to fix just about anything and was always willing to lend a hand. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent many years bird hunting with his dogs and developing natural habitats for wildlife. He was active in The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) and was a member of upland game bird clubs. He leaves behind the last of many hunting dogs, Hank.
Besides being a loving father to his sons, he was the dearest son to the late Russell and Pearl Leitner, grandson to the late Erwin and May Hilgendorf, loving brother to the late Kenneth (Sharon)Leitner, the late Paul Leitner, Ruth (the late Chuck) Rogers, Michael (Lynn) Leitner, Alice (Tom)Menzel, Marilynn (Craig) LeNoue, Charles (Myra)Leitner, Violet (Blaine) Leitner-Thompson, Lois (David) Iwata, and special friend Cindy Belk. David was the 4th oldest of 10 siblings and leaves behind many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Bethany Home and ThedaCare Hospice for their care and the many friends and family that visited and supported David these last weeks. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. The Maple Crest Funeral Home of Waupaca assisted the family with arrangements.