Leo Henry Elenz

leo elenz
On Monday, February 20, 2012 we lost a husband, father, brother, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, son and friend in the passing of Leo Henry Elenz. Leo, age 79 of New Hampton passed away at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, IA. He was born to Lawrence and Marie Elenz, a farming family in Alta Vista Iowa on April 8, 1932; the second oldest of 13 children. What a hard life it was. Ask any of the nine remaining siblings, Theresa, Rita, Rosie, Maggie, Tillie, Mike, Katie, Alice and Larry. He left for the Korean War in 1952 and returned in 1955 to marry his bride and joy, Marilyn Cecilia Mishak some years later on May 1, 1957 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Alta Vista, IA. With this 55 year union of spirits came 6 children; Lori, Jeff, Tony, Lisa, Keith and Chris; and from these children 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were born. A small town farm lad with so much potential, he was a farmer, carpenter, policeman, restaurant and barkeep, motel owner and most of all a story telling friend. Always willing to fight for what was right, teach what needed to be learned and instill values his kids maintain and pass on. Marilyn will face this life, never alone, with God, her children and friends like you by her side. Leo enjoyed fishing, hunting, storytelling, wood working, playing cards and flying his airplane. He was a member of Holy Family Parish ~ St. Joseph’s Center, the Knights of Columbus, Alta Vista VFW, New Hampton American Legion and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Leo is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn of New Hampton; his children, Lori (Red) Deutsch of Prescott Valley, Az, Jeff (Candace) Elenz of Waverly, IA, Tony (Nancy) Elenz of Eagan, MN, Lisa (Tim Peterson) Elenz of Boise, ID, Keith (Karla) Elenz of New Hampton, Chris (Nancy) Elenz of Kempner, TX; his sisters, Theresa Stremcha of New Hampton, Rita Cummings of Evansdale, IA, Rose Meirick of Jesup, IA, Margaret Faber of Algona, IA, Tillie Havlik of Elma, IA, Katie Schmit of New Hampton, Alice Kintzle of Waterloo; his brothers, Mike Elenz of Reno, NV and Larry Elenz of Waterloo and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mary Ann Webb, Barbara Bormann and brother, John Elenz. Thank you for your prayers, support, friendship and understanding. ~The family of Leo H Elenz Cemetery: Burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family. at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton with a 6:00pm scriptural wake service. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. at Holy Family Parish ~ St. Joseph’s center in New Hampton with Fr. Mark Osterhaus celebrating. Military rites provided by New Hampton American Legion Post # 38, New Hampton VFW Post #5238 and the Alta Vista VFW Post # 4069.

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  1. As a long time friend of Leo’s son, Chris. I can say that the values Leo instilled into Chris are life long and can be seen in Magen and Cody who in my mind are two of the most wonderful kids I have ever met in my life. I can say Leo inspiried me in the short time I have had the honor in knowing him and sharing numerous good times in his company. I thank him for his military service, he will be missed by all who knew him. Rest assured he is smiling on us all as we speak. My love goes out to the entire Elenz family but especially Chris and his wonderful family.

  2. Leo is a great guy. He told many funny stories that you could sit and listen to all day. He will be greatly missed. You have our deepest sympathy.

  3. Marilyn and Family, I am so very sorry to hear of Leo’s passing. What a great guy. We all have so many great memories starting back in the L-Kove days. My thoughts and prayers are`with all of you. No one can ever take away the great memories you all have of Leo. He was one of a kind. My sympathies and love to all.

  4. Marilyn and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with
    you today at this time of sorrow. Leo is now no longer in pain and is at peace with our Heavenly Father. Our
    sympathy to all. Merle & Karen

  5. Marilyn, we extend our sympathy to you and your family. Leo will be the topic of many stories to come, however, we all know we can not tell a story like he did. He was a master. I know he is healthy and fishing and playing cards with his buddies now. Peace and strength be with you in the days to come. Mish and Marilee

  6. Marilyn……Mike and I send our love and prayers to you and your family. We both loved to hear Leo tell a story, and the few times we got to play cards with him was always an evening to remember. I will never forget the time I thought I won a game, and yelled….WOO HOO!! Well, Leo looked and said….WOO HOO my ………you know what! Needless to say…I didn’t win that game. God Bless You Leo!

  7. My deepest sympathy to Marilyn and all the kids, spouses and grandkids. I will always remember Uncle Leo’s sense of humor and how he could tell the best stories in the world!!! May God Bless you Uncle Leo as you go on your journey to Heaven.

  8. My deepest sympathy to Marilyn, all of my cousins and Leo’s extended family ; as we mourn our loss and celebrate his life. Sending thoughts of love, peace & comfort to all.

  9. Our sympathy to Marilyn and the family. Leo had a laugh that was contagious. He always loved to have a good time and visit with everyone. He was a good man and passed that on to his wonderful family! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  10. Put in a good word for us and watch over us. Especially us Crazy Bikers!
    May God Bless and Keep you and yours. In Jesus’ name Amen.
    Kelly M.

  11. So sorry to hear of the death of Leo. Know that he is in a wonderful place where there is no sorrow or pain. Keep all memories close to your heart. God Bless all of you.

  12. To the family of Leo im very sorry to hear of his passing i enjoyed him while he was at nhnrc ,he told me alot of nice stories im honored to get to know him god bless

  13. Uncle Leo was always good for a story (true or false), a card game, or a fun outing of fishing. He will be missed. Marilyn I am sorry for your loss, he was a great man! Much Love xoxo

  14. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I was blessed to have Leo and his family as a large part of my childhood days.
    I am thinking of you all and send you my deepest sympathy.

  15. Marilyn and Family- We are so sorry to hear of Leo’s passing. We have so many memories of good-fun times .
    You will be in our thoughts and prayers at this saddest of times.
    Duane and Marlys

  16. So sorry hear about Leo he was a great man. He was so much like my dad you would think they were bothers .He will be missed. You all are in my prays and thoughts. Love Beth

  17. So sorry to hear of Leo’s passing. He is in a good place with no pain. We have lots of good memories of the L-Kove times and Red & Lori’s wedding. Our thoughts and prayers all with all your family.

  18. Thinking of your family and keeping you all in our prayers. Leo was such a kind man and an inspiration to all who were blessed to get to know him. He will be missed.

  19. To the Family, we give you our deepest sympathy. Have known the family for many years. And still remember My Mom talking about teaching Leo at the country school. And him pulling his anticts on all the students. Love to all of you.

  20. Tony – I’m so sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you, Nancy, and your entire family, and treasure your memories. Ann

  21. I will never forgot all the fun we had together as familes ,
    Dad and Leo had a lot of foolish fun together but they enjoyed life.
    I loved his stories and his laugh, he will always be Uncle Leo to me . Sending all my love to all of you .

  22. Our condolences to you Marilyn and all the family. Leo was a great guy, friendly to all, and always had a smile and greeting for everyone. Cherish the many beautiful memories you have made. Our love and prayers will be with you. May he rest in peace.

  23. To Marilyn and family Skeeter and I always enjoyed being around you two in our younger days. Leo will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

  24. Deepest sympathy to your family on your loss. I can remember the “good times” shared with my Dad and family. We will always remember his humor and great laughter.

  25. Leo never lost his joking ways. About a year and half ago I pull in the driveway with the Moped to deliever the paper and the garage door was open. I took a paper next door, then came back and he was standing at the house door in the garage and said he was trying to decide if he should hop on the Moped and take off. I think if his health would have been better he would have. You will be missed Leo.

  26. Lori, Red and family-Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this incredibly difficult time.

  27. Marilyn and the family of Leo,
    Our thoughts and prayers to you all in this time of loss.
    We hope you will be able to celebrate his life and take enjoyment in that.

  28. Always remembered Leo as he always had something nice to say to everyone, whether it was up at the L-cove at lunch or at the Elenz house. Had the pleasure of working with Tony and Jeff for a short time and was glad to know Leo as well. I wish I could have made it the visitation. Our thoughts are with your family.

  29. Dear Marilyn and family,
    Our sympathy and prayers are with you. Leo was a special person, and he will surely have his reward in heaven for all of his hard work and the loving things he did for so many people. May God be with all of your family.

  30. Marilyn & family- We want to offer our sympathy to all of you on the loss of such a fun loving person, Leo. We have such great memories of fun times at our pond and at the L-cove especially the great fish dinners with Kruegers through the years. He always had so many stories and we will always remember his ability to tell them so well. You are lucky to have had him and we are to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you even though we are far away. Duane & Pat

  31. Marilyn and family,
    Don & I extend our deepest sympathy. It is a hard time for Don, remembering growing up with Leo, working together and having plenty of fun along the way. We will miss our visits in IA, AR & AZ. You have a great family to support you. We hope you now take some time for Marilyn. Our relationship was special. Don & Vi Elenz

  32. Lisa and family, Your father was a wonderful man! May the joyful memories help carry you through this difficult time. With deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences, Roberta and family

  33. Hey Pops, made it through the first thanksgiving without you! I know at different times there was miles between you and your kids at thanksgiving time, but never so bad as it is now! Christmas is around the corner and the pictures and videos of the past are not good enough! Damn I sure miss you, life around here is not the same around here, hell, no one to pick on the old Harley anymore! love and miss you…

    Keith n Karla

  34. The year

    Where has the year gone by
    So may tears we all still cry

    Thoughts of you, always being there
    Are now so hard to even bare

    You laid there then, on your way
    Our broken hearts had to stay

    You now walk with our King
    Hearing all his angles sing

    Although your pain, you may now lack
    Your presence on earth we cannot bring back

    We miss you Pops, like families do
    As there is no one that could replace you

    Remember when you look down from up above
    We’re gazing back up and sending our love

    2-20-13


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