Leonard H. Stauske

Leonard Herman Stauske was born to Edwin and Magdalena (Hargraves) on March 29, 1942, in Athens, Wisconsin. He died of acute leukemia at the House of Dove in Marshfield on Saturday, March 31, 2018. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He attended Trinity Lutheran School for eight years and then graduated from Athens High School in 1960. He was a faithful and loyal member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Athens and served on the Church Council as an elder for several years. Leonard owned and operated the Stauske Saw Mill out of Athens for many years, constructed or remodeled many barns and steel pole sheds. He also installed barn cleaners and other barn equipment and in later years worked at Decker Lumber Company of Athens. After retirement, his main interest was working in the woods and sawing lumber with his private Wood -Miser. A cabin was built near Medford and while spending many days there, he planted and harvested a large vegetable garden and planted sunflowers, beans and corn with his "antique" equipment. He also tapped trees and made maple syrup on many spring days. Around his home in Athens, he constructed a gazebo onto the deck and because Christmas was his favorite holiday, the yard was decorated with a large Ferris wheel, a carousel, and had lights on nearly every tree. Many people from Athens and the surrounding areas greatly enjoyed viewing these sights. He especially enjoyed tour trips throughout the United States, his favorites were Alaska and Hawaii. He was married to Louetta Lavin on June 1, 1997, at St. John Lutheran Church, high steeple. She survives. He is the father of two sons, Allen (Tina) and Ed (Brenda) both of Athens and a step son, Scott Suder, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He is survived by a brother, Walter, of Medford, and a sister, Carol Carl, of Rib Mountain, two granddaughters, Kelly Stauske and Carissa (Ben) Blasel), an aunt, Marcella Hargraves of Wausau, an uncle and aunt, Clements and Joan Hargraves of Stratford, and Gladys Hargraves of Athens. Wisconsin. He is predeceased by his parents and a brother, Bernard. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, and again on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Mark Schwalberg will officiate. Special thanks for the excellent care Leonard received at the House of Dove in Marshfield, Dr, Isaac Yeboah, Oncology/Hematology of the Marshfield Clinic and to the nurses at the Marshfield Care Center. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Leonard's name. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com