Leon Juris

MIDDLETON- Leon Henry Juris passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, March 23, 2012. He was born on April 11, 1929 in Cross Plains, the son of Hubert and Katherine (Seibert) Juris. Leon attended St. Francis Grade School in Cross Plains, Madison Edgewood and Middleton High Schools, graduating in 1947. The next year he enlisted in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving in Germany. In 1952, Leon received an Honorable Discharge. On Oct. 15, 1953, he was united in marriage to Antoinette R. “Neddy” Dahmen, the daughter of Anton J. and Elizabeth (Schoepp) Dahmen, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton. Leon worked as a bicycle mechanic for 20 years. He was later employed by the Good Oil Company and Gisholt Machine Company in Madison. Leon then worked as a machinist for the Ohio Medical Company for 17 years until his retirement in 1992. He enjoyed following the Brewers, Packers and Badgers. Throughout the years, he greatly enjoyed attending the sporting activities and musical events his children and grandchildren were involved in. Leon liked to bicycle throughout the countryside. He loved to play various card games and complete puzzles. He generously donated his time as a blood donor and RSVP driver. Leon is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Neddy; sons, Michael (Julie) Juris of Amherst, Tony (Maggie) Juris of Cross Plains and Mark (Toni) Juris of Waunakee; 11 grandchildren, Bethany Juris, Allison (Josh) Luetschwager, Amber (Jason) Birkle, Jill (Jeff) Doty, Katie and Kelly Juris, Mathew, Nicholas and Danielle Juris, and Nicole and Jake Smith; two great-grandsons, Kai Smith and Spencer Birkle; sisters, Evelyn Zimmerman, Verena Beers, Esther McClain and Charleen Curtis; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Juris. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry, Charles and Bill Juris; sisters, Margaret (Ken) Burdick, Sister Carmelia (Adelaide) Juris and Alice (Chuck) Kidd; brothers-in-law, Doc Beers, Jack McClain, Bill Juris and Ed Zimmerman. Leon and Neddy also lost their daughter, Amy Ann Juris to cancer in 1988. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave, Middleton, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, March 29, 2012. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave, Middleton, on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Leon’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Rest Haven Nursing Home for all the wonderful care they have given him for the past few months. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave, Middleton, on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave, Middleton, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, March 29, 2012.