Gustave "Gust" Lechtenberg

Gust Lechtenberg, age 96, of Waucoma, IA, died on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA. He was the last surviving member of his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 23, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 218 3rd Street NW, Waucoma, IA, with Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waucoma, IA. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home Chekal Chapel, 201 Main Street, Fort Atkinson, IA, and also after 9:30 a.m., on Saturday morning at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma. Gustave Clem Lechtenberg was born on August 26, 1918, the youngest child of Clem and Theresa (Vollemecke) Lechtenberg on the family farm outside of Festina, Ia. Gus met his sweetheart Lucille Bruess while waltzing the floors of the Inwood in Spillville. They were united in marriage on May 25, 1943 at St Luke’s Catholic Church, St Lucas, Ia. Gus and Lucille were first blessed with three sons, followed the great joy of their four daughters. They raised their family west of Waucoma, farming for many years before moving into town. Gus worked hard all his life, instilling his work ethic in his family. Over the years he had many jobs including truck driver, school bus driver and retired from Meinertz Creamery. Lucille and Gus loved to travel and visit children and grandchildren. They also enjoyed socializing with dear friends, playing cards and Polka dancing. Gus was known in Waucoma as THEE Handyman to call if you needed anything fixed. Gus was always kind-hearted and enjoyed a good laugh. He will be remembered for his joy and laughter and his sweet smile was just the best! His family brought him much happiness through the years and he always had the perfect lap for a new grandchild or great grandchild. He is loved so dearly and appreciated by his entire family. Gust is survived by six of his children: Marv (Steph) Lechtenberg ,Knoxville, TN, John (Cathy) Lechtenberg, Bettendorf, IA, Marge (Pete) Meyer, Decorah, IA, Jean (Phil) Prevo, Cedar Rapids, IA, Becky (Marv) Smith, Fort Atkinson, IA, and Sharon (Larry) Fuglsang, DeWitt, Ia. Daughter-in-law: Carol Lechtenberg, Miltona, MN. Fourteen Grandchildren: Lori (Ralph) Bedingfield, Tim (Carol Jo) Lechtenberg, Adam (Angela) Lechtenberg, Tracy (Jared) Essa, Ryan (Keri) Lechtenberg, Nichole (Oscar) Alruiz, Greg (Roxy) Lechtenberg, Kyra (Steve) Elliot, Eric (Kim) Prevo, Sarah (Eric) Rainey, TJ (Mandy) Lechtenberg, Abby Smith, Ann (Steve) Reuter and Alexa (Adam) Procailo. Twenty-one Great Grandchildren: Connor , Jenna, Taylor, Chase, Cameron, Sam, Gavin, Maverick, Holden Lechtenberg, Ellie Bedingfield, Brady and Deryk Elliot, Peter and Audrey Essa, Jack and Rory Reuter, Gustavo and Emilio Alruiz, Andrew and Addison Prevo and Alex Rainey. In-laws: Arlene (Stephen) Lensing, Laverne Bruess, Clarence (Mary Lou) Bruess and many nieces and nephews. Gust was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille in 1991, son Kenneth, grandson Grant and great grandson, Nicholas Rainey. His parents Clem and Theresa Lechtenberg, siblings and spouses Alf (Hilda) Lechtenberg, Art (Barb) Lechtenberg, Walter (Rose) Lechtenberg, Roman (Marie) Lechtenberg, and Sister Loretta Lechtenberg. In-Laws: John and Caroline Bruess, Alice (Al) Bullerman, Art (Irene) Bruess, Don (Evelyn) Bruess, Cornell Bruess, Jim (Betty) Bruess, Wilma (Stanley) Franzen, John Bruess. The family of Gust would like to thank all of the loving and compassionate people at Ossian Senior Hospice who cared for him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Ossian Senior Hospice or Winneshiek County Hospice. We thank you all for your generous thoughts and prayers during this time.