Carl Albert Leistikow

Carl A. Leistikow, age 93, of Decorah, Iowa, died Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 8, 2005 at Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Iowa by Rev. Allen Hermeier, with burial in Burr Oak Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Friday, October 7, 2005 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and from 10:00-11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be directed to Burr Oak Lutheran Church, Burr Oak, Iowa, 52131. Carl Albert Leistikow was born March 13, 1912 in Windsor Township, Fayette County, Iowa, the son of Herman and Ida (Warnke) Leistikow. He was baptized on May 26, 1912 and confirmed November 20, 1927 at Burr Oak Lutheran by Rev. Glesne of Decorah Lutheran Church. He attended rural schools of Burr Oak Township in Winneshiek County and worked as a farm hand until his marriage to Lenora Hoines of Cresco, Iowa on June 1, 1938 at Freemont Lutheran Church, in rural Winneshiek County. To this union five children were born; Harlan Ellsworth, James Carlton, Linda Kay, Loren Earl and Rachel Ida. Carl and Lenora farmed in the Burr Oak area for 24 years. For 5 years they owned and operated the Hamre Shoe Store in Decorah. In 1967 they purchased a farm in the Burr Oak area where they lived until 1975 when they retired and moved back to Decorah. Carl was a charter and active member of Burr Oak Lutheran Church. Shortly after his retirement he and Lenora took many bus tours and traveled all over the United States, parts of Canada, and the Caribbean. In the earlier years of his retirement he was very active in horseshoe pitching. He competed in tournaments all over the state of Iowa and received several trophies. For several years he had charge of tournaments during the Nordic Fest and at the Winneshiek County Fair. He also enjoyed bowling. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors, birds, flowers and nature. Other interests included playing cards with his friends and the fellowship of participating many years with his wife at the Senior Meal Site in Decorah. He was preceded in death one infant son, Harlan; his parents Herman and Ida of Decorah, Iowa, three brothers, Ervin of Canton, Minnesota, George and Herman of Decorah and a sister, Amelia Smith of Lenora, Minnesota. He was greatly admired and respected by his family, including his wife, Lenora of Decorah, Iowa; four children, the Reverend James Leistikow of Fort Collins, Colorado; Linda Edralin and husband Larry of Shelton, Washington; Loren Leistikow and wife Barbara of Iowa City, Iowa; and Rachel Murany and husband Dave of El Cajon, California; eight grandchildren, Randall (Kelly) Leistikow of Redwood City, California, Ann Adair of Omaha, Nebraska, Jill Leistikow of Thornton, Colorado, Julie (Carlos) Stewart and Jennifer Primeau, all of Seattle, Washington, Chad Leistikow and his fiancé Brianna Blake of Alexandria, Virginia, Krista (Eric) Schaffer of Overland Park, Kansas, and Nicole (Mitch) Krumwiede of West Des Moines, Iowa; and seven great-grandchildren, Dax, Dru, Tate and Rafe Adair, Paris Primeau, Linda Stewart and William Paugh; and one sister, Helen (Charles) Fravel of Harmony, Minnesota.