Leo Charles Kueber

Leo Charles Kueber, a lifelong Park Rapids, MN area resident, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 25, 2015, on his 93rd birthday, at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids. Leo was born at Aneta, ND on April 25, 1922 to Herman Joseph and Otillia (Fiedler) Kueber. The family moved to a farm three miles north of Emmaville, MN in 1926. He attended the Emmaville School until his family moved to a farm just south of Itasca State Park in 1936 where he then completed his schooling at the Becker County District #129 Country School. Leo grew into manhood helping on the family farm and entered the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1939. After completion of his CCC service, he returned to the farm until he was drafted into the Army during WWII. Leo's military tour took him to Ft. Hood, Texas for basic training, then to the Philipines to await the invasion of Japanese occupied Korea. Leo saw active combat against the Japanese as an army infantryman. He received his honorable discharge after the war and returned to the family farm where he engaged in farming and logging. In his determined effort to buy the family farm, Leo worked the harvest from from Texas to North Dakota raising enough money to complete the purchase. Leo loved farm life and raised a fine herd of Brown Swiss dairy cattle and the forage crops needed to feed his stock for fifty years. His winters were filled with logging. Although his real sense of enjoyment came from his work he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. He was also a skilled woodworker. Perhaps his greatest source of joy came from reaching out to anyone and everyone who needed a helping hand. Leo was a devout Catholic, a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Two Inlets and the Knights of Columbus Council #6443. He was also a life long member of the National Rifle Association. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Mary Ferrill of Groesbeck, Texas; his five brothers: Herman "Pete" Kueber, Marse Kueber and Duane (Christine) Kueber all of Park Rapids and Nick (Dolores) Kueber and Paul (Judy) Kueber all of Wisconsin; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Leo was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Joe, George and Bernard and one sister. Margaret. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Thursday, April 30, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Two Inlets, MN with Father Tom Friedl officiating. Mary Schmitz will be the organist and the St. Mary's Choir will lead the mass music. The casket bearers will be: Nick Kueber, Joshua Kueber, Thomas Kueber, D.J. Kueber, Joe Kueber, Ray Herlitz, Aaron Burnside and Randy Burnside. Interment will be made in the Kueber family plot located in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Two Inlets. The Star of The North Marine Corps League under the direction of David Free will provide full military honors. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Wednesday, April 29th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with a prayer service at 7 PM and again at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service. A luncheon hosted by St. Mary's will follow the service. To view the memorial video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com