John Leschensky

John E. Leschensky, 86, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 26th , at 11:00 AM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Pastor Samantha Houser officiating. Burial will be at Lansing Ridge Cemetery, rural Lansing, IA. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, August 25th at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Zion UCC Educational Trust Fund, Robey Memorial Library, Good Samaritan Center-Waukon, Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
John Ernest Leschensky was born on January 29, 1930, to Emil A. and Clarice (Dillenberg) Leschensky. John graduated from Waukon High School and received a bachelor's degree in economics from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA in 1951. From 1951-1953, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a First Lieutenant. He returned to Waukon in 1953 to join his father in business at Leschensky Insurance Agency.
On June 20, 1954, he married Marianne (Miller) in Cedar Falls, IA. They were married 35 years before her death in 1990. Together they welcomed three children. Family time was important to them both and many memories were made attending kids' events, traveling and camping throughout the United States, playing games, hiking and cross country skiing in the woods of NE Iowa, and vacationing in northern Wisconsin.
In 1955, he joined Northwestern Mutual Life as an agent, an association that continued for 59 years, concluding in 2014. John will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and steadfastness by family, friends, and the community. He had a generous and kind spirit and was always willing to help, offer support, or a listening ear. Serving his clients and providing excellent care and compassion were of high value. He believed in giving back to his community, serving on numerous boards and committees. He participated in Jaycees, Kiwanis, Waukon Planning and Zoning Commission, Waukon Library Board, Veterans Memorial Hospital Administrator's Advisory Council, and Good Samaritan Advisory Board. As a lifelong member of Zion United Church of Christ, he was involved in many leadership roles over the years, living out his faith through giving time and serving others.
John told his children through words and example that he valued being a participant in life rather than a spectator. His family and friends can attest to this through his love of fishing, hunting, and traveling. He started his annual fishing trips to Canada with his father as a teen, and continued along with many friends, children, and grandchildren for over 50 years. As an avid hunter, he and friends ventured to many parts of the country, making new friends along the way. His summer fishing trips to Alaska, living out of his RV, spanned 19 years. He loved telling stories about the people he met and the experiences he shared with the friends and family who joined him there. He experienced joy and rejuvenation through these favorite pastimes.
John is survived by three children: Deb (Mike) Murrell of Cedar Rapids, IA, Becky (Chuck) Hoffman of Steilacoom, WA, and Jeff (Elizabeth) Leschensky of Decorah, IA; seven grandchildren: Sarah (Karl) Murrell Swenson, Luke (Megan) Murrell, Joshua and Jacob Hoffman, and Benjamin, Annette, and Mitchell Leschensky; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarice and Emil; his sisters: Helen Leschensky and Joan Grosshuesch; and his wife Marianne.
Honorary casketbearers are Joe Cunningham, Dominick Damiano, John Hausman, Jens Kallevang, Ernie Lubahn, Mike McMillan, and Cal Moe. Casketbearers are John's grandchildren.