Leonard Rosonke

Leonard J. Rosonke age 84 of New Hampton, IA died Friday, May 17, 2019 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass. Lectors for the service will be Rachel Tomaszewski, Elaina Rosonke and Emma Rosonke. Mass servers are Braelyn Rosonke and Taylor Ries. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Erica Wencel, Nicole Nelsestuen, Jennifer Rosonke, Megan Krawza, Braydon Rosonke and Bryson Rosonke. Music for the service will be provided by the I.C. Men's Choir accompanied by Ann Bennett, organist. Interment with military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton. Pallbearers are Dan Rosonke, Jarod Juhl, Adam Juhl, Kyle Juhl, Ethan Rosonke and Alex Krawza. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Rosonke, Brayden Rosonke and Bryson Rosonke. Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. Leonard Joseph Rosonke was born June 5, 1934, in New Hampton, IA, the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Rosonke. He attended the former St. Mary’s Grade School and was a 1952 graduate of the New Hampton High School. On December 8, 1954, he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. He had a rank of SP3 and spent 18 months in Hawaii. After serving his country, Leonard began working at the CO-OP in New Hampton and was later promoted to manage the Ionia Five Star CO-OP. He worked for the COOP full time for over 39 years and part time for another 11 years, finally retiring on December 31, 1997. As a young man, Leonard was attending a wedding, when he met the love of his life, Norma Jean Burke. They were married, June 27, 1964, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton. To this union six children were born; Kelvin, Julie, Paula, Allen, Rana and Brian. The couple resided in New Hampton their entire married lives. After retirement, Leonard was a 15 year volunteer, driving for the Chickasaw Ambulance Service. He was also active in the American Legion, where he served on numerous funeral honor guards. A highlight in his retirement years, was when he was able to go on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on June 17, 2014, with his son, Al. Leonard was a member of Holy Family Parish and the Catholic Order of Foresters. In his free time he loved playing cards (Euchre and 500) and he enjoyed teaching the grandchildren cards as well. He enjoyed baseball, especially following the Chicago Cubs. His family and friends will remember him as a quiet, humble and gentle family man. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Norma; six children, Kelvin (Sandy) Rosonke of Rochester Hills, MI, Julie (Kelly) Juhl of Harlan, IA, Paula Nelsestuen of Rochester, MN, Allen (Nicole) Rosonke of New Hampton, Rana (Ken) Krawza of Prior Lake, MN and Brian Rosonke of New Hampton; 16 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; three sisters, Agnes Kramer of Woden, IA, Jean (Nick) Tilkes of New Hampton and Eleanor (Cletus) Schwickerath of New Hampton; one brother, John (Mary) Rosonke of New Hampton; four sisters-in-law, LaVonne Rosonke, June Rosonke, Mary Wegner and Doris (Cletus) Ries, all of New Hampton; two brothers-in-law, Jim Burke of Victorville, CA and Greg Tilkes of Fairbault, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Norbert Rosonke and Francis Rosonke; two brothers-in-law, Charlie Kramer and Sylvester Wegner; two sisters-in-law, Elaine Tilkes and Mary Lee Burke.