Leonard Joseph Fencl

Leonard J. Fencl passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, Iowa at the age of 88.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Protivin, with Rev. Nick Radloff celebrating the Mass followed by military honors.    Interment will take place at a later date.

Visitation will be held one hour before the services at the church.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, New Hampton is assisting the family.

Leonard was born March 17, 1936, on the Fencl farm, the son of Alois and Alice (Lukes) Fencl.  Leonard received his education at Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Rudolphinum High School in 1954.  He was employed by Clet Koshatka Farm Equipment before enlisting in the U. S. Army in August of 1956.  His basic training was at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He also received 8 weeks of schooling at Fort Chaffee and another 8 weeks of schooling Aberdeen Proving Grounds at Aberdeen, Maryland.  He then served six months in Japan and later ten months in Korea.  After two years of active duty, he spent two years in active reserves and two years in standby reserves in Decorah, Iowa.  In August of 1962 he was discharged from military service.

Leonard started farming in 1962 after his father retired from farming.  Leonard was a “steward of the land” and farmed for 50 years on the Fencl Heritage Farm.  He was the fourth generation owner and operator of the land that was purchased from the U.S. Government by his great grandfather, Frank Fencl in 1856.

Leonard milked cows and sold his dairy herd in 1972 to start a beef cow/calf operation which he enjoyed very much.  He raised show calves and sold them to 4-H and FFA members who had a beef project.  He also had a great love for raising horses, riding horses in Yellow River State Forest and Volga Lake State Park and driving horses with a sleigh or wagon behind. Leonard enjoyed reading, traveling, seeing different parts of the country, snowmobiling, and feeding and watching birds.

On November 20, 1973, he was united in marriage to Doris Leitzinger Davis, his best friend and the love of his life, in Nashville, Tennessee. On November 20, 2004, Father Moser officiated at a renewal of their marriage vows at Holy Trinity Church in Protivin.  They resided on the Fencl family farm one mile east of Protivin.

Leonard was a lifetime member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Workman, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association of Winneshiek County, and a member of Post 605 of the American Legion.  He served for 30 years as Sgt.-at-Arms of Post 605.

Leonard is survived by his stepson, Scott Davis, two brothers, Victor (Sharla) Fencl, and Ernie (Martha) Fencl, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceding him in death were his parents, Alois and Alice (Lukes) Fencl, his wife, Doris, his stepson, Steven Sidwell, two sisters, Mary Ann (Willie) Andera, and Betty Falada and his brother, Jim Fencl, nephews, Bryan Fencl and Jim Falada, and niece, Melyssa Fencl.

In leiu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for further designation.  Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.hugebackjohnsonfuneralhome.com.