John F. Leinfelder

John F. Leinfelder, 88, died on February 18, 2020 in Sanibel, Florida while vacationing with his family. John was born May 12, 1931 in LaCrosse to Flavian and Harriet (Fay) Leinfelder. He married Barbara Kelly on May 28, 1960 at Blessed Sacrament Church in La Crosse.

John is survived by wife Barbara, daughter Ann Leinfelder Grove (Tim Grove) of Waukesha WI, son Joseph (Susan) of LaCrosse, son Fritz (Susan) of Holmen, and daughter-in-law Nancy Leinfelder of Bolingbrook, IL. John is preceded in death by his son John, Jr. “Jay”, sister Fay Mosier, and his parents.

John often shared his belief in the importance of setting a good example with his children and grandchildren. His ten grandchildren include Emily Umhoefer, Ben Umhoefer, Dara Leinfelder, Nick Leinfelder (fiancé Samantha Hojek), Andrew Leinfelder (Christine), Dan Rovegno (Lauren), Christopher Leinfelder, Sophie Leinfelder, Sam Leinfelder, and Abby Leinfelder. Nine great grandchildren include Louisiana, Robert, Kylar, Maxwell, Ariana, Hayden, Cameron, Eleanor, and Kaiya.

John was a lifelong LaCrosse area resident. He graduated from St. Joseph Cathedral Grade School in 1945, from Aquinas High School in 1949 and from Princeton University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He then served three years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Benner. John returned to La Crosse in 1956 and joined his father in the family steel fabrication business, Joseph J. Leinfelder & Sons, Inc., retiring in 2002.

John loved (to hear or to tell) a great story or a good joke. He was a gentleman. He had a twinkle in his eye when he talked about his family and was an avid fan of the Badgers, Brewers, UWL Eagles, and anything his children or grandchildren participated in. He cared about history and wrote complete stories of the UWL Quarterback Club and the family business. He played golf into his 80’s at the LaCrosse Country Club.

John served on the board of many LaCrosse organizations over the years, including Blessed Sacrament School, Aquinas High School, Aquinas Booster Club, UW-LaCrosse Quarterback Club, Gateway Area Boy Scouts, Greater La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, and First Federal Savings and Loan (now Associated Bank). He was a Charter Member of the LaCrosse East Rotary Club.

In 2004 John and Barbara received the Bishop John Paul Distinguished Alumnus Award from Aquinas High School.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd. South. Friends may call at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Thursday, March 5 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and again on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of services.

Memorial donations can be sent to Gundersen Medical Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of LaCrosse, Aquinas Catholic Schools Foundation, or LaCrosse Community Foundation-Jay F. Leinfelder, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.