Mary Leuenberger

Friday, November 25, 2016 5:03 pm

Mary Leuenberger, 95, formerly of Fort Atkinson, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Kyle Digmann officiating. Organist is Jeanette Dietzenbach. Soloist is Dan Silhacek. St. John’s Choir also will sing. Hymns are “Here I Am Lord,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Be Not Afraid,” “Goin’ Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Mass servers are Kody, Morgan and Kali Kleve. Lector are Jim Leuenberger. Eucharistic ministers are Sharon Kleve, Jim Leuenberger, Matthew Stock and Irene Leuenberger. Offertory gift bearers are Amy Lukas, Jennifer Smith, Sarah Spence and Mary Stock. Casket bearers are Dan Kleve, Chad Kleve, Darin Kleve, Jeffrey Leuenberger, Jeremy Leuenberger, Matthew Stock, Clint Martin, Brandon Martin and Jesse Martin. Interment is at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Spillville. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Mary Ann (Silhacek) Leuenberger was born Aug. 10, 1921, the daughter of Wenzel and Mathilda (Panos) Silhacek on the family farm near Spillville. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Spillville. Mary was united in marriage to Clinton Leuenberger Sept. 18, 1944, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Together they farmed near Fort Atkinson, where they raised their four children. In 2001, they moved to Spillville. Mary was a devoted wife and mother, wonderful cook, kolache baker, avid gardener and seamstress. She loved scrap booking, reading and treasured all of her cats and kittens. In 1955, Mary became a Winneshiek County Volunteer 4-H leader and continued to lead the Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H Club for 45 years. She was inducted into the Iowa State 4-H Hall of Fame as the first Winneshiek County inductee in 2002. She touched the lives of many of the youth of the community. She had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the Rosary. Mary was a member of St. John’s Parish in Fort Atkinson.

Mary’s survivors include her four children: Sharon (Linus) Kleve, Calmar; Jim (Irene) Leuenberger, Shawano, Wis.; Anita Stock, Altoona, and JoAnn (Brian) Martin, Louisville, Ky.; 13 grandchildren: Amy (Allen) Lukas, Amana; Daniel Kleve, Rose Hill, Kans.; Chad (Peg) Kleve, Shell Rock; Darin (Mary) Kleve, Fort Atkinson; Jeffrey (Maureen) Leuenberger, Summit, N.J.; Jennifer Smith, Los Angeles, Calif.; Jeremy Leuenberger, Denver, Colo.; Matt (Katie) Stock, West Des Moines; Sarah (Tim) Spence, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mary Stock, Ankeny; Clint Martin, Lexington, Ky.; Brandon (Jenny) Martin, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Jesse (Lindsay) Martin, Indianapolis, Ind.; nine great-grandchildren: Zachary and Megan Lukas; Caitlyn and Caleb Kleve, Ashley Benda, Brandon, Clint, Nathan, Thomas and Gabriella Kleve, Taylor Absher, Kody, Morgan and Kali Kleve, Emily and Ryan Leuenberger, Joey and Charlie Stock, Tyler, Oliver and Lillian Spence, Sonny and Jack Martin, Emmet and Lila Martin, Nora and Donovan Martin; great-great-grandchildren: Aiden and Caitlynn Kleve; brothers and sisters-in-law: Joe Hauber, Ridgeway; Arlene (Joe) Shindelar, LeClaire.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Leuenberger, Nov. 10, 2002; parents: Wenzel and Mathilda Silhacek; sisters, Sister Regina Marie OSF and Hattie Hauber; brothers, Edward (Mildred) Silhacek and Jim (Louise) Silhacek; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Monroe and Amelia (Frey) Leuenberger; brothers and sisters-in-law: Carl Leuenberger, Anselm Shindelar and Marjorie (Dean) Walker.

Words cannot express the gratitude of the family to the wonderful “Angels of mercy” at the Ossian Senior Hospice for the loving care extended to our dear mother where she spent her last few years.