Leonard J. Riesselman, age 92, of Halbur, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur. The celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Friedrichsen. Music will be by the St. Augustine Choir with Taylor Masamitsu as soloist. Lectors will be Addison Eischeid and Doris Riesselman. Gift Bearers will be Angie Hausner and Sydney Neubauer. Eucharistic Minister will be Doris Riesselman. Casket Bearers will be Matt Eischeid, Corey Eischeid, Lucas Riesselman, Weston Riesselman, Tyler Neubauer, Justin Neubauer, Casey Masamitsu, Joe Hausner, and Sean Dennis. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with military honors conducted by the Arcadia American Legion.
Visitation will be held at St. Augustine Church in Halbur from 5-7p.m. on Thursday. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday morning from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the church to be directed towards the family’s discretion.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Leonard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com
Leonard was born in Halbur, Iowa on October 3, 1929 to Henry and Catherine (Muhlbauer) Riesselman. He attended school in town.
In his early twenties, Leonard was drafted into the Army to support ongoing efforts in the Korean War. He earned the rank of corporal before being honorably discharged in 1953.
On September 3, 1956, Leonard married Donna Thein at St. Joseph’s Church in Carroll, Iowa. Leonard and Donna began their married life on a farm south of Halbur. There, they raised five children: Dean, DeAnn, Denise, Dan, and Deb. In 1984, they moved into the town of Halbur.
Lifelong contributors to the Halbur community, Leonard and Donna purchased the Chicken Inn in 1983, which they owned and operated for 25 years. Leonard was also a major supporter of Halbur University activities and a member of St. Augustine’s Parish.
Leonard’s favorite pastimes included playing cards, spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and playing softball- a joy Leonard discovered during his time as a soldier. When he was back stateside, Leonard went on to play softball for Ray’s Place and later sponsored the Chicken Inn slow-pitch team for many years. Lenoard loved attending their games and supporting the team.
He also had a sincere passion for music. Leonard enjoyed playing upright bass for Herb’s Polka dots and singing with the St. Augustine’s Choir and the Elk Chorus, where he was a club member. Additionally, Leonard was a member of the Holy Name Society, and the American Legion, where he was a member for 68 years.
Leonard is survived by his children: Dean (Doris) Riesselman of Boone, DeAnn Eischeid of Halbur, Denise (Ernest) Middleton of Halbur; Dan (Jeannie) Riesselman of Arab, Alabama, and Deb Neubauer of Boone. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Lucas (Anna) Riesselman of Ames, Weston Riesselman of Des Moines; Matt (Stacy) Eischeid of Dallas Center, Angie (Joe) Hausner of Atchison, Kansas, Corey (Ali) Eischeid of Halbur, Tyler Neubauer of Norwalk, Justin (Ariel) Neubauer of Austin, Texas, Casey (Taylor) Masamitsu of New York, New York, and Sydney Neubauer (fiancé Sean Dennis) of Boone; nine-great-grandchildren: Makayla and Kendra Eischeid; Evie and Gracie Hausner, Addison, Hudson, and Hayden Eischeid, Aurelia Riesselman, and Braxten Dennis with two more on the way; six step-grandchildren: Kathy and Amanda Peters; Ernest, Damian, Keane, and Brandon Middleton; five step-great-grandchildren: Ashton, Jagg, and Haelynn Trussell, and Madison and Kinsley Johns.
Also surviving are his sisters: Jean Frischmeyer and Alice Christiansen; brothers: Vernon (Betty) Riesselman, Andy (JoAnn) Riesselman; sister-in-law: Linda Riesselman, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents; his parents-in-law, Phillip and Elizabeth Thein; son-in-law: Randy Eischeid; his siblings and their spouses: Herb (Dolores) Riesselman, Lawrence (Ada) Riesselman, Marie (Bill) Wernimont, Walt (Lucille) Riesselman, Vincent (Edith) Riesselman, Katie (Bob) Curnyn, Henry Riesselman; brothers-in-law: Leonard Frischmeyer, Tom Christiansen, Gordon Podey, and Donna’s brother Jack (Bonnie) Thein.