Leon Joseph Weisensel
August 18, 1922 - February 15, 2014
Obituary
SUN-PRAIRIE/MADISON-Leon J. Weisensel, age 91, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2014. He was born on August 18, 1922, in Sun Prairie, the son of Leo and Catherine (Duschack) Weisensel. Leon attended Sacred Hearts Catholic School, Sun Prairie, graduated from Sacred Hearts High School in 1938, and completed a course in auto mechanics at Madison Vocational and Adult Education School. Leon married Mary Grace Parr on June 21, 1952, at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church. They moved to Madison and had three children. Leon and Mary were charter members of St. Dennis Catholic Church. Leon worked at John Deere Farmer’s Implement for nearly 40 years and became co-owner in 1968. Leon enjoyed fishing and hunting and was known for his large gardens. After retirement, he started JD Acres, dealing in antique tractors. He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara (Daniel) Kelly of Madison and Lynn (John) Breen of Janesville; 10 grandchildren, Andrew (Amanda) Kelly, Christopher (Andrea Pantzer) Kelly, Amy (Aaron) Koclanes, Kayti (Miguel) Segura, Adam (Kayla) Weisensel, Nicolas Weisensel, Lucas Weisensel, Nicole Breen, Christina Breen, and Melissa Breen; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Audrey Powers, Marion (Fred) Gmeinder, and Rita Richolson; brother, George (Irene) Weisensel; and in-laws, godchildren, nieces and nephews. Leon was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary; his parents; a son, Michael Weisensel; sisters, Edna and Gladys; brothers, Elmer, Myron and Vernon; and a granddaughter, Angie Weisensel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Sacred Hearts Cemetery, Sun Prairie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Dennis Catholic Church or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Tue Feb 18, 2014 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Service
Tue Feb 18, 2014 @ 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Leon have been shared yet.
Memories
D(
Deanna Burss (Weisensel)
Other •
Uncle Leon - a wonderful man who will be missed by many. I remember looking at my sons when they were young and they would have what I called an "Uncle Leon smile" - their left upper lip would lift up when they smiled just like Uncle Leon's did.
CS
Christie (Weisensel) Sunderrajan
Other •
With great fondness, I recall Uncle Leon. Always with his smile and, I recall, the cigar in mouth or hand.
RS
Rebecca (Weisensel) Strang
Other •
Uncle Leon always would say "How's life treating you?" when I would see him. I remember the smile and the cigar too. I was an awesome man and will be missed.
CW
Cindy (Williams) Wiesner
Other •
Mr. Weisensel, a great man indeed! Barbie, remember the day he let me have a drag of his cigar....he knew what a great lesson that would be! I always think of him fondly he was very kind to me growing up, Thanks Leon!
Cindy
CW
Cindy Walsh
Other •
A great thanks to Uncle Leon, teaching me about cars as a teen. When my first Dodge Lancer blew a gasket, he and my Dad took me to John Deere to help fix the head gasket and get it going again. He was always kidding me about leaving more rubber on the roads than the tires. Thanks Leon. Love Cindy Walsh
LW
Larry & Mary Weisensel
Other •
Uncle Leon will be missed. As others have mentioned, he always had a smile and kind words to say. He enjoyed working on farm machinery and cars, and was proud to represent John Deere. He and Mary ventured north to the Twin Cities and stopped by to visit us. We went out to supper and had a fun evening. Our thoughts are with Barb and Lynn and their families at this difficult time. While we will celebrate Leon's life, it is never easy to lose a parent. Love, Larry & Mary Weisensel