Leonard L. Bennett

Leonard Lee Bennett passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  His family was blessed to have celebrated his 83rd birthday with him on Easter Sunday.

Leonard was born in Abilene, Kansas on March 30, 1941 to Dorothy (George) and Emerson Bennett.  He grew up on the family farm near Manchester, Kansas.  He graduated from high school in Chapman, Kansas in 1959.  After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force where he served as a chaplain's assistant.  He was stationed in the Philippines and Roswell, New Mexico.  After discharge in 1963, he went to Southern California where he first studied at Los Angeles Valley Junior College and then at California State Polytechnic College in Pomona where he received his Bachelor’s Degree.  He then earned his teaching credential through the University of California—Davis.    He taught elementary education in Jamestown and Marysville, both in California.  While he was a teaching interim, he met the love of his life, Karen Olson in 1970.  They were married on June 27, 1971 and made their home in Yuba City, California and later in the Sierra Foothills near Marysville.

In 1976, their first child, Erica, was born.  In 1977, they moved to Abilene, Kansas and had two more children: Kristin in 1981 and Mark in 1983. Soon after moving to Kansas, he started a home repair business, doing carpentry work.  He enjoyed woodworking and creative projects throughout his life, making gifts for family members such as oven cooling racks, bird houses, musical stand, armoire, and a display cabinet to name a few.

In 1981, Leonard began his career with the USPS in Abilene and transferred as a letter carrier to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1985.  The family settled in La Crescent, Minnesota where they lived for 27 years.  He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers for 40 years.  He took pride in receiving an award for having no sick days.  He always enjoyed talking about the current weather conditions.

Leonard retired in 2007.  In 2012, he and Karen moved to rural Houston, Minnesota where he enjoyed collecting and restoring John Deere Two Cylinder Tractors. He enjoyed being a part of the Tri State Two Cylinder Club.  He could be found proudly driving his prized John Deere tractors in the Apple Fest parade for many years.

On the Houston property, he fulfilled a long-time goal of raising a small flock of chickens and enjoyed letting them out each day to roam freely.

Leonard enjoyed motorcycle riding, starting in his college days and continuing until age 80.  He and his long-time friends, Terry and Gary, for 20 years, took annual motorcycle trips to places such as the North Shore of Lake Superior, Black Hills of South Dakota, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kansas.

Music played an important part in his life.  He began playing the tuba in high school and played as opportunities arose.  He purchased his own instrument at age 70 and joined the DaCapo Band of La Crosse where he played until he was 81.  In his younger days, he considered making a career out of music, but realized how difficult it could be.  He lived through his daughter, Erica’s, musical career attending her small group, symphony, and orchestra performances including her most recent concert with the Rochester Symphony in which a favorite Beethoven Symphony was performed. Over the years he learned to play the sousaphone, trombone, guitar, and piano.  He enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years.  He could sit down at a piano and play music by ear and create his own beautiful melodies.

He was a long-time member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent where he served on the church council and was the chairperson of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for many years.  Every Sunday, Leonard could be found in the church pew with his family, a man of a quiet strong faith.  His church community was important to him and his family.   Emotions would easily arise during special music and when he received the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  At Prince of Peace, he became the man known for arranging a yearly Tuba Sunday.

Leonard will be remembered for his kind, quiet, and gentle nature, his joyful giggle, his dedication to his family and friends, his personal letter writing, and comical commentary side chat.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, chickens, and cat, drinking coffee, and weekly breakfast dates with his friends, Terry and Gary.  He loved spending time in the garage, fixing and tinkering with whatever project he had.  He had a meticulously organized garage and kept records of his mechanical work on his tractors and vehicles.  He was a thoughtful listener and noticed things that most people would pass by or take for granted.  He was a man of many talents, a man of few words, but when he spoke it was always something profound and humorous.  He was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend.  He will be greatly missed by many.  We will remember his legacy forever and live by his example.

Leonard is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Karen, his children: Erica Bennett Duggan (Chris Duggan), Kristin Boettcher (Trevor), and Mark Bennett (Amanda); grandchildren: Madelyn and Noah Boettcher, and Carson Bennett; step-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Alyssa Wahlen and Jack and Olivia Duggan; his sister: Katherine Neaderhiser; brother: Leroy Bennett; and nieces: Linda Bergner, Joan Forristal, and Ann Reddy.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law: Melvin Neaderhiser.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent with a visitation from 9:30 until time of service.  Burial will be at POP cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (donations can be made on their website http://www.princeofpeacelacrescent.org/), Da Capo Band of La Crosse at laxcommfoundation.com/give/browse-our-funds/da-capo-concert-band-endowment-fund, and Talmage Historical Society and Museum Kansas at 2978 Main St. Talmage, KS 67482.