Maurice Orville Leonard

Maurice O. Leonard, age 95, of Storm Lake, Iowa passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Fonda Specialty Care in Fonda, Iowa. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Holstein Cemetery in Holstein, Iowa with military rites by the Holstein American Legion Post #225. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Healthcare Foundation, or the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Maurice was born in Holstein on March 11, 1920 to the parents of Hiram and Christina (Schroeder) Leonard. He graduated from Holstein High School. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Iowa. While attending Iowa, he was called to the US Army to serve his country in 1941. He served in the Coast Artillery, and was stationed in Michigan, Montana, California, and Nebraska. Maurice transferred to the US Army Airforce where he was a flight engineer on B-24 Liberator Bomber on Kodiak Island in Alaska. He was honorably discharged following WWII in 1945. Following his discharge from the service, Maurice worked for General Electric in Omaha. While in Omaha, he met the love of his life and married Lillian Cecava on June 7, 1947. To this union were born two daughters, Cynthia Kay and DiAnne Jo. Maurice pursued his passion for the land and was employed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in Guthrie Center, eventually moving to Storm Lake in 1955. He continued this work retiring in 1980. Following retirement from the SCS, Maurice continued to work servicing fire extinguishers, working at Lake Hardware, and transporting new and used cars for various dealerships. Maurice was an avid reader and enjoyed historical non-fiction of the Civil War and World War II. His gun collection was envied by many, given the number of vintage guns he owned. He sold his collection and pursued other collections such as Hummel figurines, plates and Meerschaum pipes. Maurice also enjoyed his coffees with friends at Hy-Vee and Hardees. Even in his 80’s, it was not uncommon for him to set off on the 2 mile walk each morning to Hy-Vee. However, his greatest hobby was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Maurice left a footprint on the people he touched, the examples he set, and his words and deeds which made a difference to everyone who knew him. Maurice is survived by his wife Lillian of Storm Lake and daughters, Dr. Cynthia Martinek (Jerold) of Belmond, Iowa and Dr. DiAnne Leonard (Neil Ellison) of Danville, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Christopher Martinek, Katherine Martinek, Ross Ellison, Seth Ellison, and Todd Ellison. Left also to cherish his memory is a sister, Mary Conover and sister-in-law, Gloria Leonard, Holstein, and numerous nephews and nieces. Maurice was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeremy Martinek; brothers Abraham (Grace), Herbert Arnold (Marvel), Jesse (Laurel), Elvin (Irene), Ransom (Evelyn), George (Dolores), William; and, sister, Viola Sinns (Nicholas).

Maurice Orville Leonard

March 11, 1920 - February 16, 2016