He died at his home in Ute, Iowa, Friday, July 28, 2002, at the age of seventy-five.

Leonard was born on the family farm in Hanover Township. He received his education in the Hanover Township Country School; after his schooling he worked on the family farm. He entered the United States Army on November 16, 1945, at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, and served his country in Germany. He was discharged on March 12, 1947, at which time he returned to Crawford County, Iowa.

In 1949, Leonard went to work for Tenhulzen's Hatchery in Denison.

He was united in marriage to Arlis Wegner of Denison, on April 24, 1950, at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage, by Rev. C.W. Schmidt. In 1952, he returned to work for his father on the family farm. They later farmed in the Charter Oak and Ricketts area until 1995 at which time they moved into Ute, Iowa.

Leonard was a very loving and caring husband and father, who taught his children to be respectful and considerate. He loved to read western books by Louis L' Amoure; loved Major League Baseball with the Braves being his favorite team. He had a great love for farming and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was baptized June 24, 1927, and later confirmed on March 29, 1942, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.

Leonard was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ute; the American Legion Post No. 66 of Charter Oak.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Lance; one sister, Marie Marten; one brother John; three brothers-in-law: Marvin Petersen, Wilbur Harm, and Don Bilsten.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Arlis, of 52 years; four daughters: Lori Christman and her husband Byron of Ute; Lorene Reimer and her husband Dennis of Schleswig; Leanne Neu and her husband Darrell of Pueblo, Colorado; Leesa Kuhlmann and her husband Joel of Ute; two sons: Lynn Petersen and his wife Kerri of Spokane, Washington; and Layne Petersen of Sioux City, Iowa; fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Two brothers: Edmund Petersen and his wife Marion of Denison; Earl Petersen and his wife Barbara of Fergus, Minnesota; four sisters: Margaret Petersen of Denison; Anna Harm of Denison; Bernice Segebart and her husband Carl of Vail; and Betty Bilsten of Denison. Two brothers-in-law: Ralph Marten and his wife Marge of Denison, and Bill Wegner and his wife Jan of Norwalk, California; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, July 1, 2002, at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa. Rev. Ed Brandt officiated the service and grave side rites held at the Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison, Iowa. Organist, Lynette Thies provided the organ accompaniment for congregational hymns "The Lord's My Shepherd," "Lift High the Cross", "My Faith Looks Trustingly" and "Beautiful Savior". Pallbearers were Lowell Petersen, Ryan Segebart, Mike Petersen, Dennis Marten, Lyle Petersen, John Bilsten, Tim Petersen, and Roger Harm. Military honors were Homer Hall Post No. 66 from Charter Oak. A scripture service was held at 7:30 P.M., Sunday at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. The family invited everyone in attendance at the service to join them in fellowship and lunch at the church, served by the Ladies Aid. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.
Denison Bulletin, July 30, 2002