Donald Eugene Leak
Donald Eugene Leak
August 16, 1931 – May 3, 2013
Served with Honor – United States Military Veteran
Don died Friday evening, May 3, 2013 at the Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas at the age of 81 years, 8 months and 18 days.
Donald Eugene Leak, son of Bernard “Sandy” and Lillian (Kabe) Leak, was born August 16, 1931, in Canton, SD. As a youngster, his family moved to Minnesota Lake, MN where he was a graduate of Minnesota Lake High School. He furthered his education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN before entering the Air Force during the Korean War; serving from 1950 – 1954. Upon his return from the military, Don was employed in his father’s business, Sandy’s Culligan Soft Water, where he learned the trade of plumbing. Don was united in marriage to Karen Ann Tolzmann, August 30, 1957, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Minnesota Lake. He and Karen moved to Mount Rose, MN where he worked in the plumbing and heating trade. Don later was employed as an assistant manager with Gambles-Skogmo Hardware Store, first in Mitchell, SD and then in Cherokee, IA. After being injured in an auto accident in the 1950’s, Don was confronted with finding a job that required less physical activity. While undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic, it was suggested he look into nurse anesthesiology. Don returned to school and received his nursing degree from The Methodist School of Nursing in Sioux City, IA and then attended Southwest School of Anesthesia in Springfield, MO, where he received his education to qualify him as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. After completing his education, Don worked as an anesthetist in numerous Iowa towns including, Postville, Leon, and Webster City. He settled in Oskaloosa in 1970 and worked at Mahaska County Hospital until his retirement in 1995. Don and Karen moved to Arkansas in 2002. Don was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa for many years and he was a current member of Bella Vista Lutheran Church in Arkansas. Don loved adventure and entrepreneurship; his job as an anesthetist gave him enough free time to allow him to pursue many different enterprises, namely: The Black Angus Cattle Farm, Big Daddy’s Worm Farm, Del’s Auction Lunch Service and KADE Wholesale Electrical Supply. He also enjoyed many other activities including: working in his shop, collecting, attending auctions, horseback riding, fishing in Canada, hunting prairie dogs in South Dakota and elk and bear hunting in Wyoming. After ill health limited his activity level, Don continued to enjoy adventure through the escapades of the “American Pickers” and “Pawn Stars” on the History Channel.
His family includes his wife of 56 years; his son, Jeffrey (Georgetta) Leak of Oskaloosa; grandchildren: Sean Walter Rock, Amanda Ann Daisy Leak, and Tiffany Joanna Leak; great-grandchildren: Abigail Morghan Rock, Jaxon Walter Rock, Issac Jeffery Rock and Emree Haley Rock; a sister, Bonnie McCarthy of Madison, WI; a brother, Roland (Marjorie) Leak of Ellendale, MN; a sister-in-law, Lynne Tolzmann of Rogers, AR and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his son, Michael on February 2, 1987; and a brother, Konrad Leak.
Funeral services for Don will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 6, 2013, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Reverend Samuel Beltz of St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa officiating.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery with Military Honors by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral chapel; the family will be present from 2-4 p.m. to greet visitors.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, AR.
