Leo W. Wernimont

Leo W. Wernimont, age 93, of Fonda, Iowa died April 20, 2018 at his home in Fonda. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, April 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Fonda. Visitation will take place Sunday, April 22, 2018 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the church with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a KC Rosary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Fonda Knights of Columbus. The Mahaney Funeral Home in Fonda is in charge of the arrangements. Leo Wernimont was born on April 4, 1925 to Victor and Elisabeth (Geocke) Wernimont. Leo was baptized in 1925 in Willey, Iowa and was later confirmed. In his youth, he attended Willey Grade School and graduated from Carroll High School in 1942. Leo first met Tootie in August of 1947, they met when Leo and his friend, Andy, were at a dance and Leo eventually asked Tootie to dance. That was the start of many dances as well as skating and going to shows. Leo and Tootie were united in marriage on January 3, 1949 in Roselle, Iowa at the Holy Angels Catholic Church. To this union, they were blessed with ten children. After getting married, Leo and Tootie took a honeymoon to Florida and he soon found out that his bride did not like to travel and got carsick. After the honeymoon, Leo and Tootie made Auburn their home for a month before moving to rural Pocahontas in February, 1949. There they began their life together and the babies started to come. The family then moved to a farm north of Fonda in 1962. Leo and Tootie farmed together for many years. Leo was a hard worker and took care of the land, cows, pigs, chicken, and his family. Many happy years were spent at the farm until the family moved into town in 1997. Leo was very involved in his community and his church. Throughout his life, Leo was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fonda Community School Board of Directors, OLGC Endowment Committee, and he delivered meals on wheels. In his spare time, Leo enjoyed playing cards, reading, visiting, gardening, and the stock market. Later in his life, he enjoyed cleaning the house and yard while also baking. His home and family were two of the most important things in his life. He wanted to live as long as he was helpful to someone. “Forget my faults and try to find some nice things to remember me.” Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Coletta “Tootie” Wernimont of Fonda, Iowa; his children: Jim (Cheri) Wernimont of Fonda, Iowa; Bill (Jackie) Wernimont of Neenah, Wisconsin; Karen (Denny) Kakacek of Watertown, South Dakota; Kathy (Bill) Daniel of Fonda, Iowa; Joan (Ken) Mohr of Fonda, Iowa; Lisa (Jaime) Chanez of Papillion, Nebraska; Dan (Jess) Wernimont of Fonda, Iowa; Ann (Lee) Evans of Carlisle, Iowa; 29 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Bernice Irlmeir of Carroll, Iowa and Florence Kokenge of Carroll, Iowa. Leo is preceded in death by his parents: Victor and Elisabeth Wernimont; his son, Jerry Wernimont; infant daughter, Susan Wernimont; his brother, Walter Wernimont; and his sisters: Margaret Reiman, Ruth Bellinghausen, and Eileen Herbers.

Leo W. Wernimont

April 4, 1925 - April 20, 2018