Leo Francis Wenzl

Leo F. Wenzl was born on September 9, 1930 to Leo and Christine (Christen) Wenzl, Sr. in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  He was one of ten children born to this union.  Leo grew up on the family farm and attended St. Anthony’s parochial school up to the 8th grade.  He worked on the family farm a couple years and worked for Elmer Rinne doing land improvement bulldozing.  In 1950 Leo joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in Auburn, Nebraska and was assigned to 195th armored tank battalion company until his discharge November 1956.  

On April 23, 1959, Leo was joined in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn A. Olberding. To this union, 7 children were born, Gary, Karla, Danny, Julie, Diane, Jimmy and Leslie. 

Leo’s passion was bulldozing as a land improvement contractor forming his own construction company in 1960.  He was also a member of LICA, Land Improvement Contractors of America.  Leo was a lifetime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church as well as a member of the choir and an instrumental member of the 4th degree Knights of Columbus.  Leo, also known as "Luther Blue",  had a love for bluebirds and was a member of Bluebirds Across Nebraska.  He made numerous bluebird boxes and shared this passion with many.  Leo loved spending time with family and friends and had an infectious smile that will be remembered by all. 

 Leo passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife and children on March 19, 2018, feast day of St. Joseph, patron of fathers and family.

  He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Wenzl, children: Gary and Jane Wenzl, Tecumseh; Karla and Kevin Daehling, Sterling; Danny and Lisa Wenzl, Burchard; Julie Shea and fiancé Joseph Delgado, Firth; Diane Ackerman, Buckeye, AZ; Jimmy Wenzl, Sterling and Leslie and Kurt Ottemann, Lincoln, grandchildren:  Scott Wenzl, Jonathan (Alex) Wenzl, Taylor Wenzl, Sarah (fiancé Zach Scholl), Angela Wenzl, Emily Wenzl, Madeline Daehling, Andrew Daehling, Kam Daehling, Savannah (Peter) Kok, Carissa(Michael) Lafleur, Corey Wenzl, Harrison Shea, Alex Ackerman, Jaden Ackerman, Nicole (fiancé Kent Frickel) Wenzl, Christopher Wenzl, Jordan Wenzl, Carly Wenzl, Ava Ottemann, Leo Ottemann and Ellie Ottemann, great-grandchildren, Lydia and Milo Kok, siblings/spouses: Louis Wenzl, Jim Wenzl, Donald and Bonnie Wenzl and Tony and Carol Wenzl all of Lincoln and David Wenzl, Steinauer, sister-in-laws, Mary Wenzl, Steinauer and Joanne Wenzl, Pittsburg, KS and many nieces, nephews and friends.

  Leo was preceded in death by his parents; sons-in-law: William Shea and Clark Ackerman; brothers: Paul and Luke Wenzl; sisters and brother-in-law:  Mary Ann Wagner, Bernice and Max Beals; and sisters-in-law, Susie Wenzl, Eva Wenzl and Jean Wenzl.

 Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Steinauer, Nebraska with Father Michael Christensen and Father Thomas Wiedel officiating.

  Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

   Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

   Interment will be in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Steinauer, Nebraska, with full military rites by the Tracy-Bates American Legion Post #370 of Elk Creek.  

   Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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