Edwin Lechtenberg

Edwin Lechtenberg, age 83, of Fort Atkinson, IA, died on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, WI, following a long illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 23, 2008, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, IA, with Rev. David Beckman officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday and on Friday morning until 10:00 a.m. at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel in Fort Atkinson, IA. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a scripture service at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Edwin Joseph Lechtenberg was born on September 24, 1924, to John Bernard and Catherine (Brinks) Lechtenberg at home in Festina, Iowa. Edwin celebrated his First Communion and Confirmation at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. He attended Catholic School in Festina, until the eighth grade, when he quit and went to help on the family farm. Edwin married Lucille Tillman on May 29, 1946 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union, nine children were born: Lorraine, Linus, Lyle, LaVern, Linda, Jane, Joyce, Leroy and Judy. During his lifetime, Edwin farmed, worked at the Silo Company and Wapsi Produce. Some of his special interests and activities were woodworking, mowing lawn, yard work, tinkering with his cub cadets and doing little things around the house. Edwin’s family was very important to him, especially his children, grandchildren and great-grand children. Edwin’s survivors include his wife: Lucille Lechtenberg, Decorah, IA. Eight children: Lorraine (Russell) Karnik and Linus (Judy) Lechtenberg, all of Fort Atkinson, IA; Lyle (Sandy) Lechtenberg, Hokah, MN; Linda (Dean) Kofoot, Fort Atkinson, IA; Jane (Dave) Brincks, Ossian, IA; Joyce (Craig) Numedahl, Urbandale, IA; Leroy Lechtenberg, Delmar, IA and Judy (Ron) Reynolds, Fredericksburg, VA. One daughter-in-law: Theresa White, Indianola, IA. Nineteen grandchildren: Kristi Karnik, Kelley (Dustin) Mead, Kimberly (Nathan) Fiser and Ryan Karnik. Vicki (Rick) Dirksen, Karla and Chad Lechtenberg, Michelle (Harry Wahl) Whitehill and Todd (Bettie) Lechtenberg. Anthony Lechtenberg, Jeremy, Jason and Joshua Kofoot, Michael (Erika) and Kayla Brincks. Matthew and Marc Numedahl, Jennifer and Nicole Reynolds. Twelve great grandchildren: Rasheem, ShaKira, Kourtney, Tyler, Hailee, Ariana, Maya, Logan, Bryce, Kaden, Nicholas, and Jaden. Two sisters: Angela Schilling, Wausau, WI and Marie Wilberding, Alta Vista, IA. Two brothers: Norbert Lechtenberg, Festina, IA and Robert Lechtenberg, Lawler, IA. Edwin was preceded in death by his parents: John Bernard and Catherine Lechtenberg. One son: LaVern Lechtenberg. Four brothers: Johnny, Anthony, Lawrence and Alfred Lechtenberg.