Leo A. Sebald

MADISON - Leo A. Sebald, age 96, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Oakwood East Assisted Living. Leo was born near Oostburg, Wis., on June 22, 1930, to Elmer and Hilda (Grunwald) Sebald. In 1948, he graduated from Oostburg High School as salutatorian and senior class president. He then moved to Sheboygan, Wis.

Leo saw combat with the U.S. Army 5th RCT during the Korean Conflict. After his service he earned a B.S. degree in Art Education and later an M.S. degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Wisconsin. He taught in Pulaski, Wis,. for two years in the late 1950s. In nearby Green Bay he met his life’s love, Lorna Lewke, an RN student at Bellin Hospital School of Nursing. He and Lorna married June 6, 1959, at Zion Lutheran Church in Columbus, Wis.

Leo was the high school guidance director and vocational and adult evening school director in Monroe, Wis., for six years, the first half of the 1960s. He then moved to Madison where he started a personnel department for Webcrafters, Inc., his employer for 27 years, until retiring in 1993.

Leo was active in many church, community, and educational affairs.  He designed his parents’ house in Sheboygan. He did art works for his family. He wrote his autobiography, “Leo’s Story” as a legacy for his family. In 1988, he was Webcrafters “loaned executive” to the United Way of Dane County. He golfed and bowled in Madison’s senior leagues until age 90 and was especially proud of his 1994 hole-in-one at Monona Golf Course. He was a sports fan of the UW Badgers, the Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Leo and Lorna were active members of Bethel Lutheran Church for many years and later active members of Messiah Lutheran Church. Leo and Lorna visited many countries and most of the U.S.A. In retirement they wintered in Arizona, Florida and Texas. Leo was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a friend to many. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Lorna; children, Sandra (Rev. Dr. Randall Ferguson) of Cedarburg, Wis., David (Donna) Sebald of Madison, Wis., and Sherril (Kurt Frieders) of Nekoosa, Wis.; grandchildren, Jena Sebald (Nick McCullough), James Sebald, Rachel (Ian) Ziarko, Scott (Aleksandra) Frieders and Kyle Frieders; and great-grandchildren, Paxton Ziarko, Elsie Ziarko, Mabel McCullough and Annikka Frieders. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Hilda Sebald; and an infant brother, Ralph. 

A private family service will be held for Leo. Private interment will be in the Garden of Eternal Peace Mausoleum in Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona, Wis.

A warm thank you to the caregivers at Oakwood Assisted Living and Agrace HospiceCare. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Oakwood Foundation or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420