Leonard Smisek

Leonard J. Smisek, age 92, of Faribault, MN and formerly of Austin, MN, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault, MN, with Sr. Kathleen Hayes, Pastoral Minister at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, officiating. Interment will be held at Grandview Cemetery in Austin, MN.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home on Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Leonard Julius, the son of Albert A. and Gertrude (Demann) Smisek, was born on Jan. 9, 1925 in Webster Township, Rice County, MN. Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor in May of 1943 at the age of 17. He served in the Pacific Theater and participated in several amphibious landings on the New Guinea shores. Leonard's unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for their performance in combat. While in the service he was lucky enough to meet his future bride, Ida Salsman. They were married in September of 1945. After Leonard's discharge from the Army, they moved to Austin, MN. Leonard was employed at Hormel Foods in Austin for 37 years and also served for a period of time as the Union Leader at the Hormel Plant. Leonard and Ida spent summers at their cabin on French Lake, which they enjoyed for 60 years. Many hours were spent swimming and fishing on the lake and provided great family unity. Leonard loved to go "Junking", hauling scrap metal. He was possibly one of the great recyclers. In the fall he looked forward to trapping and hunting with his sons.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ida M. Smisek of Faribault, MN; by four children, Leonard Jr. (Julie) Smisek of St. Michael, MN, Sharon (Allen) Graves of Zumbro Falls, MN, Albert (Mary Kay) Smisek of Rochester, MN and Barbara (William) LaPorte of Faribault, MN; by 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; by his sister, Rose Marie Scott of Faribault, MN and his sister-in-law, Arlene Smisek and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by three brothers, Joe, Sylvester and Albert Smisek and by four sisters, Betty Duchene, Agnes Belinski, Gertrude Keilen and Irene Vold.