Ken Leppert

Kenneth Joseph Leppert, 89, of Lansing, IA, entered his eternal, heavenly home on Monday, January 22, 2024. A visitation will be held at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, January 26th and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27th, at the United Methodist Church in Lansing at 11:00 AM, with Pastor James "Buck" Buckhahn officiating.  Burial with military honors will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lansing, followed by luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, Ken has requested that memorials be given to the Lansing Rural Fire Department and/or Lansing EMS, 51 N Front St., Lansing, IA.

Kenneth Joseph Leppert was born June 16, 1934, in Waukon, IA, to Florence (Bechtel) and Dewey G. Leppert. He was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church in Churchtown, IA. He attended French Creek #4 School through 7th grade and graduated from Lansing Public High School in 1954. Ken entered the U.S. Army in September 1954 and served eighteen months in Okinawa, Japan; he was honorably discharged in September 1956.

Ken was united in marriage to Karen A. Schultz on September 10, 1957, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lansing. Ken and Karen raised six children in a Christ-centered home.

Ken attended Iowa State College in Ames, IA, and in 1958, returned to Lansing to be part of the farming operation with his father and brother. The partnership won the Iowa State Sweepstakes Conservation awarded in 1962. Ken received the "Outstanding Young Farmer" award sponsored by the Lansing Jaycees in 1968. Due to health reasons, he retired from farming in 1985.

He was an active member of the community, being a member of the Jaycees from 1958-1966, and the Lansing Fire Department 1961-1980, where he also served as Fire Chief for several years. He was a member of the Lansing Lions Club and served on the Lansing Ambulance. In 1978, he was elected to serve on the Eastern Allamakee Community School Board and was board president for four years, ending his term in 1984. Ken served on the Lansing City Council from 1968-1976. He served on the Board of Directors at Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank from 1976-1985. He served as Vice President of the Oak Hill Cemetery Board for over 40 years. Kenny was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Lansing for 63 years. He enjoyed all sports and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Iowa Hawkeye teams. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lansing, where he served on several committees, sang in the church choir, and taught Sunday School for many years. He coached the Lansing John Deere Garage softball team for several years in the mid-1970s to early 1980s.

Ken obtained his real estate license in 1987, and operated Lansing Land and Homes in partnership with Wes Goeke until 2007. He continued to work as a realtor until December 2012. He dearly loved his family and spending time with them, enjoying family gatherings, vacations, and the years spent at Lake Neshonoc, where he loved entertaining family and friends. He also enjoyed boating, bowling, and card club.

Ken is survived by his six children: Kimberly (Paul) Mauss of Onalaska, WI, Kristin (Terry) Heiderscheit of Rochester, MN, Kyle (Laura) Leppert of Onalaska, WI, Kathy (John) Reinhart of La Crosse, WI, Kari (John) Adank of Onalaska, WI, and Kraig (Marci) Leppert of Onalaska, WI. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren: Shane Mauss, Karissa (John) Wunsch, Justin (Allison) Mauss, Tess (Kyle) Thomas, Luka (Todd) Jensen, Noel (Tourê) Barksdale, Lindsey (Marcus) Stefonek, Lacey (Alex) Wellsfry, Riley Reinhart, Elle Reinhart, Whitney (Chris) Berglund, Mason (Sarah) Leppert, and Olivia Leppert. Survivors also include fifteen great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law and husbands: Carl and Diane Clancy, Robert and Kay Troendle, Corrine Burke, and Gwen and Jim Loveless; and many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Karen in 2022; his parents Dewey and Florence Leppert; his brother Donald Leppert and wife Elenora; his sister Lucille Leppert; his father-in-law Alvin Schultz; and his mother-in-law Enid Schultz.

Ken was very grateful for the excellent care he received from the excellent staff at Thornton Manor, Dr. Perkins, and Mayo Clinic Health System.

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7.

Honorary casketbearers are Karissa Wunsch, Tess Thomas, Luka Jensen, Noel Barksdale, Lindsey Stefonek, Lacey Wellsfry, Elle Reinhart, Whitney Berglund, Olivia Leppert, Carl Clancy, Don Peters, Franklin "Doc" Weymiller, Bob Leppert, Robert Troendle, Paul Mauss, Terry Heiderscheit, John Reinhart, and John Adank.

Casketbearers are Mason Leppert, Alex Wellsfry, Marcus Stefonek, Riley Reinhart, Shane Mauss, Justin Mauss, John Wunsch, and Sean Clancy.