Leonard Bromenshenkel

Leonard H. Bromenshenkel, age 86 of Sauk Centre, died Monday, December 14, 2009 at St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 17 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8 to 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre.

Leonard Henry Bromenshenkel was born December 7, 1923 in Ashley Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Albert and Elizabeth (Meyer) Bromenshenkel. On September 19, 1944 he was united in marriage to Leona R. Minette at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Leonard entered the United States Army in 1944 and served as a flame thrower on the front lines in Okinawa, Japan. He was wounded on May 22, 1945 and later received the Purple Heart. Leonard recovered in Texas and Utah before his honorable discharge in February, 1946. Leonard and Leona returned to Sauk Centre where they began their family. The couple farmed outside of Sauk Centre until moving to town in 1994. Leonard loved farming and continued to help his sons, whether it was physically helping on the farm or giving help over the phone. Along with farming, Leonard loved singing and music, playing cards, saying the rosary, and delivering flowers for his daughter's flower shop. Leonard's greatest joy came from spending time with his family, his wife Leona, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Leonard was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, St. Paul's Catholic Aid, Bishop Joseph F. Busch Council #4863 Knights of Columbus, and the Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Leona of Sauk Centre; children, Darlene (Dick) Rousslang of Sauk Centre, Jack Bromenshenkel of California, Karen (Rich) Dirkes of Sauk Centre, Don (Linda) Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, Mary (Butch Moritz) Sunderman of Sauk Centre, Jan Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, Deb "Bubbles" (Jim Deters) Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, Wayne (Patricia) Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, Anita "Toots" (Bill Berg) Kaiser of Sauk Centre, and Randy (Kim) Bromenshenkel of Albany; daughter-in-law, Deb Behlings of Madison, Minnesota; 25 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sisters, Verena Steffes of Sauk Centre, Esther Winters of West Union, Irene (Ray) Trisko of Sauk Centre, Dorothy Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, Jane (Cyril) Meyer of Sauk Centre, Evelyn (Allen) Siegle of Long Prairie, and Lillian "Tootie" (Eli) Lucas of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; brother, Allan (Mildred) Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre; sisters-in-law, Hildegard Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre and Elsie Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Joseph Bromenshenkel on October 14, 1981; son-in-law, Jim Sunderman on December 2, 1996; sisters, Rita Bromenshenkel and Mary Gritzmacher Langer; brothers, Victor Bromenshenkel and Robert Bromenshenkel; infant brother, Lawrence Bromenshenkel; brothers-in-law, Ed Steffes, Vern Winters, Norman Gritzmacher, and Dan Langer.

Serving as casket bearers will be his grandsons, Tom Rousslang, Brian Rousslang, Tony Sunderman, Joe Sunderman, Brad Bromenshenkel, Bill Bromenshenkel, Derek Bromenshenkel, Blake Bromenshenkel, Paul Bromenshenkel, and Tim Bromenshenkel. Cross bearer will be his granddaughter, Kalli Kaiser and scripture bearer will be his granddaughter, Katlyn Kaiser. Honorary casket bearers will be Laurie Quistorff, Marina Odegard, Lisa Henry, Rosie Wiechman, and Michelle Meyer. Serving as mass server will be his granddaughter, Kirsten Bromenshenkel. Gift bearers will be his granddaughters, Samantha Bromenshenkel, Joby Van Drehle, and Nikki Linscheid and the lector will be Sonja Goerdt.