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Leo J. Salz

Leo J. Salz

EAST CHAIN — Private family services for Leo J. Salz, age 89, of East Chain, Minn., will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in East Chain, with interment in Holy Family Cemetery.

Leo passed away Thursday morning, Sept. 10, 2020, at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, Minn., is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials are preferred to St. John Vianney Endowment Fund, Holy Family Catholic Church or to Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center.

Leo John Salz was born Dec. 10, 1930, in Lostant, La Salle County, Ill., to Peter and Dora (Vogel) Salz. The family moved to Little Cedar, Iowa, and then to Stacyville, Iowa, where Leo grew up, helping with farming.

After graduating from Visitation Catholic School, Leo worked for local farmers and worked with a building contractor firm in Adams, Minn.

Leo met Phyllis Pytleski in Rochester, Minn., at the Playmor Ballroom. They were united in marriage at Holy Family Catholic Church in East Chain on Nov. 8, 1956.

The couple lived in Adams for a short time and then moved to East Chain and farmed the Pytleski home place. Together they raised five children: Karen, Steve, Mark, Myron and Lisa. They all had a share in the work on the farm, as Leo crop-farmed and raised cattle and hogs. Leo loved his family and was so delighted with his children and grandchildren. He loved to see them excel in school and other activities, such as sports, music and 4-H.

Leo also worked for various companies: Stokley Van Camp, Armour, ConAgra and Fairmont Foods, for a total of 49 years.

Leo was a huge enthusiast for card playing in the family and later with the “Card Club.” Leo was known for his signature laugh and sense of humor; everyone knew when he was in the room. Croquet was also enjoyed either with the card club guys or the neighboring gentlemen on Sunday afternoons. Softball with his family and the neighbor kids was a favorite activity on a Sunday or a nice summer evening. Leo so enjoyed dancing to “Old Tyme Music” at various ballrooms in the area. The couple enjoyed many years of dancing, and then watching Bandwagon on TV; he never would miss a program.

Leo was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where he served as a sacristan, Lector, Eucharistic minister, trustee and president of Holy Name Society. He received the Bishops Medal for service to the church in 2013 and was a 75-year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Leo was also a choir member and loved music, especially Latin (which he has cherished in memory). A special enjoyment was singing with the local quartet at various functions.

Leo enjoyed his travels to Germany, Austria and Canada, along with places in the U.S. such as Seattle; Washington, D.C.; and San Diego.

Leo is survived by his wife, Phyllis; five children, Karen Salz, Steve (Cheryl) Salz, Mark Salz, Myron (Michelle) Salz, and Lisa (Greg) Gilman; grandchildren, Lesley (Jamie) Krula, Joe (Rachel) Salz, Abigail Salz, Sean Salz, Katie Gilman, and Elizabeth Gilman; brothers, Ed Salz, Roman (Vivian) Salz, Will (Mary Ann) Salz; sisters, Roma Hemann and Catherine (Al) Schutta; and many nieces, nephews, many friends, especially the “Card Club.”

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ambrose and Fr. Marvin Salz; sister, Monica Halbach; sister-in-law, Marge Salz; and brothers-in-law, Jerome Halbach and Donald Hemann.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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