Leonard F Recker
February 25, 1920 ~ June 30, 2011
Leonard Frank Recker was born on February 25, 1920 to Clement and Ida (Willenborg) Recker in New Hampton. He attended school at St. William’s School in Alta Vista. Leonard worked on the family farm until 1941 when he entered the US Army and served his county in WWII. He was wounded in battle in France for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Leonard received his honorable discharge in 1945. He worked on the family farm until his marriage to Ann Pecinovsky on September 20, 1950 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. In 1951 the couple moved to a farm west of Alta Vista where they farmed until moving to Alta Vista in 1979, where Leonard has lived to the present. Leonard enjoyed morning coffee at Schucky’s, playing cards, watching football and helping out on the farm. He was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Alta Vista and had served on the parish council. He was also a member of the Order of Foresters and the Alta Vista VFW Paul Johann Post #4069 of which he was past post commander. Leonard is survived by his son Tom (Kay) Recker of Alta Vista; three grandchildren Nicholas Recker of Denver, CO, Sara (Brad) Blickley of St. Augustine, FL and John Recker of Ames, IA; two brothers Edwin Recker of Elma and Joseph (Margaret) Recker of New Hampton and sister-in-law Madonna Recker of Elma. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clement and Ida Recker; wife Ann in 1994; four children Kenneth, Merlin, Joseph and LuAnn; three brothers Arthur, Aloys and Herbert; and two sisters Rose Nortness and Clara O’Neill.
Memorials:
Memorials may be directd to Leonard's family.
Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Alta Vista, with military rites provided by the Alta Vista Paul Johann VFW Post #4069.
Visitation:
Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00pm on Friday, July 1, 2011 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, Iowa with a Scriptural Wake Service at 6:00pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Service:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Alta Vista with Father Ray Atwood celebrating mass.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Our prayers go out to the family. Cherish the momories and great times you had with Leonard! He was a wonderful person.
So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad and grandpa. He was a very special man. We always had a lot of laughs when he played cards at our house. He loved to talk farming with us also. He will be missed by many.
Tom & family, Our sincere sympathy to you all. Your
dad was such a good friend to my dad. You will miss him but remember all the good times you had together. I
really miss my dad yet–you never forget.
Tom and Kay – I’m so sorry to hear of Leonard’s passing. He was really good man. Your mom and I had the same birthday, so I’d always try to see them in Alta Vista a few days before, so I could wish Ann a happy birthday. Your dad always chuckled when I did that. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
My deep sympathy! Tom, your dad sent a letter to me for my 50th jubilee. Messages could be sent to Eva or Tim; Eva said that his was the first to arrive at her place in OR. I had planned to stop and see him when I returned from a visit to Andy’s this weekend.
I always enjoyed when Leonard joined Mom and me at the cafe when I was home. His has been a special person in lots of people’s lives.
Know of my prayers for him and all of you. Judy
Tom and Kay,
Sorry to read of the passing of Leonard.
Bob and Brenda Rausch
Tom, Kay, and family, You all have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad, father-in-law, and grandpa. Your Mom and Dad were good family friends of my family, and it is sad to think that most of that era of friends are now gone. You are in my thoughts at this sad time.
Tom, Kay, Nick, Sara and John,
Please accept our sincere sympathy on your loss. I had the most interesting conversations with Leonard at Panther Basketball games. He was so wise. His humor reminded me so much of my dad. May God “walk with you” in your grief journey and may your many memories help ease the pain.
Dan and Alice
We wish to express our sympathy to Tom, Kay and family. We always enjoyed visiting with Leonard when we saw him downtown for lunch. He will be missed.
Our thoughts and payers are with you during this difficult time.
Tom, Kay and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Tom: May God be your guide through this time of remembrance of your father. May it be a comfort knowing that your dad is in the Lord’s hands.
Dorann and Tom Burgart
Tom & Kay, So sorry of of your dad’s passing. I will always remember his smiling face. Kevin always talked about your dad when we got together. He always said how much he enjoyed having him as a neighbor. He will be missed.
Please accept my condolences over your loss. I’ve always enjoyed my visits with Leonard whenever he came to the Care Center to visit family and when he was guest. It always made me feel good when Leonard would go home healthier after a short rehab stay here.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Leonard’s family. He was always one of the cheeriest people I waited on at Schucky’s.
We were saddened to hear of Leonard’s death and wanted to extend our condolences to Tom and his family. We always enjoyed Leonard and Ann when we bowled on the Friday night league in NH.
Joe and Sharon Haskovec
Dear Tom and Family,
I was sorry to see of the passing away of your father.
He was a kind man. The last time I saw him was at Katherine Reckers funeral visitation. We had a very nice visit. He asked about my sister carol ( the one that attended school with you). He always remembered her.
And I of course baby sat for you when you were around 2 yrs old. Your mom and dad were so good to me when I sat for you, they always made popcorn for snack for me. Then off they went to a card party or a wedding with Ed and Katherine.
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dads passing. He was a very kind and thoughtful man. We were old neighbors a long time ago. My sympathy to his family.