Recker, Leo Gregory

Leo Gregory Recker, 92, of Anamosa, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa. The Rev. Wayne Droessler will officiate at the service. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa, with a 7 p.m. rosary service provided by Knights of Columbus. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Ryan.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

Surviving are his children, Mary L. (Loras) Gudenkauf of Cascade and Loras (Gloria) Recker of Ryan; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret (Herb) Miller of Manchester; and daughter-in-law, Candy Recker of Noblesville, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Marie Melchert and Levona Kula; a son, Kenneth; granddaughter, Mary Gudenkauf; two sisters, Lucinda Gudenkauf and Armella Besler; and three brothers, Cyril, Reynold and Allie.

Leo Gregory Recker was born July 5, 1917, in Dyersville, Iowa. He was the son of John and Clara Tegeler Recker. He received his education at St. Paul's Catholic School in Worthington. Leo married Marie Melchert on June 24, 1937, in Hopkinton. Marie died Sept. 20, 1948. Three children were born to this union: Mary, Loras and Kenneth. Leo married Levona Kula on Nov. 18, 1952, at St. Patrick's Church in Anamosa. The couple lived and worked on a farm near Ryan. In 1966, they moved to Anamosa, where Leo went into the real estate business until retiring in 1971.

Leo enjoyed playing cards, watching television, especially the Chicago Cubs, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He will be missed dearly by those closest to him.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to the staff at the Good Neighbor Home and Silvercrest nursing homes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.