Leander "Lenny" Cremer

Leander “Lenny” Cremer, age 98, of Festina, IA, died on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA, surrounded by his loving family.

     Leander “Lenny” Henry Cremer was born on July 5, 1916, the son of John and Mathilda (Holthaus) Cremer in Festina, Iowa.  He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina. He married Odelia Lechtenberg on February 5, 1940, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina.  He farmed the Cremer family farm until he retired in 1981.  Lenny had many hobbies including, woodworking, fishing, traveling and playing cards with his good friends and neighbors.  He enjoyed helping others with projects, including remodeling the Festina Church with Father Kunsch.  Lenny had a wonderful memory and enjoyed sharing his wealth of information about early history of our community with his family and friends.

     Lenny is survived by his loving wife of seventy-five years, Odelia Cremer, Festina, IA.  His three children: Jean (Tom) Choate, Madison, WI; Linus (Shari) Cremer, Frisco, TX; Charles (Margaret) Cremer, Albuquerque, NM.  Six grandchildren: Kristine (Craig) Patterson, Kathryn (Michael LaVolpe) Choate, David (Anne) Choate, Randy Cremer, Juli (Darrell) Lindsey, Jacqueline (John) Grad, along with nine great grandchildren: Nick, Samantha and Jack Patterson, Ellie and Grace Choate, Gabriel and Jacob LaVolpe, Sydney and Michael Grad.  Two sisters-in-law: Marie Cremer, Bellevue, NE, and Phyllis Lechtenberg, Ossian, IA. Brother-in-law: Linus Bodensteiner, Decorah, IA, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

     Lenny is the last surviving member of the John and Mathilda Cremer family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mathilda (Holthaus) Cremer. Five brothers: Alfred (Rose) Cremer, Greg (Frances) Cremer, Victor (Teresa) Cremer, Francis (Georgene) Cremer, Paul (Dorothy) Cremer. Four sisters: Marie (Curt) Rothmeyer, Nora (Joe) Vondersitt, Rita Cremer, as a child, and Marcella Cremer as an infant. His father and mother-in-law: Herman and Catherine (Uhlenhake) Lechtenberg.  His brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Edvina (Joe) Thuente, Bertha (John) Thuente, Joe (Caroline) Lechtenberg, Greg (Elizabeth) Lechtenberg, Julia (Andrew) Hemesath, Irenaeus Lechtenberg as a child, Bridget Lechtenberg, Theodore “Ted” Lechtenberg, Catherine (Art) Huber and Rita Bodensteiner. 

     Special thanks to the good neighbors whose help and support allowed him to stay at his beloved family farm as long as possible.  His family wants to thank his wonderful caretaker, who he referred to as “that Pam”.  Also a very kind thank you to the wonderful staff at Ossian Hospice for their excellent loving care over the past three years.