Leo Joseph Czech

Leo J. Czech, age 90 of Little Falls, MN passed away, Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at his home in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 11:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call from 10:00-11:30 A.M. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Military rites will be conducted by Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112. Leo Joseph Czech was born May 3, 1919 in Bowlus, Morrison County, MN to the late John & Victoria (Kroll) Czech. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Flensburg, MN where he attended country school. Following his schooling, Leo worked with his parents on the family farm. He entered the United States Army on February 5, 1942 and received an Honorable Discharge on October 14, 1945. He served during WWII in the Aleutian Island Campaign. Leo received the Bronze Campaign Star, Expert Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon. After returning from his military service, Leo purchased a farm in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, MN. He was united in marriage to Lillian Ann Langner on June 7, 1949 at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Holdingford, MN. Following their marriage, Leo and Lillian made their home for the last 60 years on their farm in Pike Creek Township. Leo loved his farm and working the land. He also worked at Camp Ripley. Leo was a kind, loving, hardworking husband and father. His five daughters and their families were his life! He loved family gatherings where he and his wife, Lillian, prepared great feasts for family and friends. He was a great fisherman, hunter and gardener. You could always find Leo in his garden nurturing the land. He took great pride in watching his gardens grow. He loved to provide food for his family. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Lilllian and "Five Girls". Leo enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, entertaining, family gatherings, helping at the "DAV"- Disabled American Veterans food distribution center and the Little Falls Wheels on Meals. He also enjoyed visiting the residents at the nursing homes. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls and Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112. Leo is survived by his wife, Lillian; daughters, Shirley (Ed) Christensen of St. Louis Park, MN, Corky (Roger) Wochnick of Little Falls, MN, Louise (Dennis) Sanderson of Little Falls, MN, Deborah (Sherwin) Czech-Goodrich of Cushing, MN, Sandra (Fred) Czech-Daring of San Antonio, TX; brother Roman (Delores) Czech of Flensburg, MN and Aloise (Lillian) Czech of Arkansas and a sister, Mary Kuchinski, of Little Falls, MN; ten grandchildren,six great-grandchildren and special friend, Leona Copeland. He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Victoria Czech; brothers, John, Tom, Frank, George, Vince and Edward Czech; sister, Agnes Ringwelski and a grandson, Jeffrey Sanderson. Honorary Pallbearers are Alex Christensen, Leona Copeland and Irene Lockhart. Casketbearers are Tammy Filippi, Brian Wochnick, Michael Wochnick, Sheryl Rogers, Mark Sanderson, Kenora Goodrich, Sheffield Goodrich, Brighton Goodrich and Chloe Daring.