Leonard Riessen

Leonard Riessen was born on a farm in Morgan Township, Schleswig, Iowa, July 3, 1922, the son of George and Ella Ericksen Riessen. He was baptized and confirmed in his youth at Friedens Evangelical Church in Schleswig. He was raised on the farm at Schleswig and received his education in the local rural schools. Following his education he farmed in the Schleswig and Kiron areas. On February 20, 1949, Leonard was united in marriage with Ruth Francis Vetter at Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Rona and Lana. They made their home on a farm north of Deloit, Iowa, before moving to their present farm south of Vail in 1955 where he farmed all of his life. In his spare time Leonard loved to socialize with friends and family, dancing, dining out, card playing and especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Vail where, in years past, he had served as an Elder and Deacon and for many years served as the Hayes Township Clerk. Leonard died suddenly at his home south of Vail, Iowa, Saturday evening, March 15, 2008. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 85 years, 8 months and 12 days. Including his parents, Leonard was also preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Milo Riessen. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 59 years, Ruth Riessen of Vail, two daughters and their husbands, Rona and Richard Bromert of Vail and Lana and Terry Ragaller of Story City, Iowa, 4 grandchildren, Justin Bromert and wife, Ann of Vail, Lance Bromert and wife Heidi of Des Moines, Iowa, Brandon Ragaller and special friend, Angie Stoopelmoor of Palantine, Illinois, and Trent Ragaller and wife, Lauren of Ames, Iowa, three great grandchildren, Kallie and Karson Bromert of Vail and Mataya Bromert of Des Moines, one step-granddaughter, Chantelle and husband, Joey O?Connell of St. Louis, Missouri, two step great grandchildren, Keely and Shea O?Connell of St. Louis, Missouri, two brothers, Orville Riessen and wife, Marie of Denison, Iowa, and Arlo Riessen and wife, Marlys of Green Valley, Arizona, two sisters, Florence Griffin of Littleton, Colorado and Arlene Jahn of Denison, sisters-in-law, Elvira Riessen of Denison, Ida Schmidt of Wall Lake, Iowa, Margaret Borkowski of Carroll, Iowa, Bernice Branning of Manning, Iowa and Phyllis Mumm of Westside, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail, Iowa, with the Rev. Richard Francis officiating. Those providing music for the service included vocalists, Jim and EveVonne Muff singing "On Eagles Wings", "The Lord?s Prayer" and "Amazing Grace" with Ruth Noelck serving as organist. Eulogist for the service was Terry Ragaller. Pallbearers included Justin and Ann Bromert, Lance and Heidi Bromert, Brandon Ragaller and Angie Stoopelmoor and Trent and Lauren Ragaller. Interment was at the Vail Cemetery, Vail, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for a luncheon prepared and served by the United Presbyterian Women. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .