Roman Leuschen
September 20, 1926 — February 11, 2017
Roman Anthony Leuschen was born on the Leuschen farm, September 20, 1926 to Mathias and Mary (Baumann) Leuschen, near Westphalia, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church where he remained a lifelong member. He graduated from St. Boniface Catholic School in 1944. On November 13, 1951, he married Marcella "Sally" Henscheid. Nine children were born to this union: Jane, Sue, Mary, Carol, Roger, Russell, Eileen, Amy, and Ryan.
Roman farmed the Leuschen homestead until his retirement at age 88. He raised sheep, chickens, hogs, chinchillas, cattle, and dairy cows. He raised many different crops, including corn, popcorn, oats, and alfalfa. He enjoyed farming and was proud to see his field's straight rows year after year. He was an agent for Westphalia Farmers Mutual Insurance Company for many years. In his younger days, he refereed basketball games. He was a baseball umpire for over 50 years, which took him all over southwest Iowa. He also umpired youth baseball and softball games, and a few old-timer games, too. In 2010 at Rosenblatt Stadium, Roman was acknowledged for his lifelong commitment to umpiring.
Roman worked with others in his community to establish the Little Flower Haven and served for a time as the organization's Secretary. He was the first lector at St. Boniface, and served on the Diocesan School Board. He was a 4th Degree Luke E. Hart General Assembly member of the Knights of Columbus Earling Council 1741. He took an interest in local and national politics, and attended many local caucus meetings. His hobbies included watching sports, stamp collecting, crossword puzzles, reading, and playing cards. Roman died on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan having attained the age of ninety years, four months, and twenty-one days.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sally in July, 2015, his daughter Carol Hardy, brother Joseph and wife Irene Leuschen, Anna and husband Pete Wilwerding, sister Ruth Friedrichsen, and brother-in-law Francis Schmitz. He is survived by children Jane (William) Grote of Council Bluffs, IA, Sue of Houston, TX, Mary (Robert) Maley of Omaha, NE, Roger (Robin) Leuschen of Council Bluffs, IA, Russell (Lisa Ambrose) of Omaha, NE, Eileen (Keith) Schwery of Panama, IA, Amy (David) Loseke of Cave Creek, AZ, and Ryan (Melissa) Leuschen of Panama, IA; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, son-in-law Steve Hardy of Des Moines, IA; sister Norma Schmitz of Denison, IA; brother-in-law Don Friedrichsen of Council Bluffs, IA; sister-in-law Jane (Leo) Rau of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law Urban Henscheid of Harlan, IA; sister-in-law Theresa Henscheid of Harlan, IA; other family members, and many friends.
Roman farmed the Leuschen homestead until his retirement at age 88. He raised sheep, chickens, hogs, chinchillas, cattle, and dairy cows. He raised many different crops, including corn, popcorn, oats, and alfalfa. He enjoyed farming and was proud to see his field's straight rows year after year. He was an agent for Westphalia Farmers Mutual Insurance Company for many years. In his younger days, he refereed basketball games. He was a baseball umpire for over 50 years, which took him all over southwest Iowa. He also umpired youth baseball and softball games, and a few old-timer games, too. In 2010 at Rosenblatt Stadium, Roman was acknowledged for his lifelong commitment to umpiring.
Roman worked with others in his community to establish the Little Flower Haven and served for a time as the organization's Secretary. He was the first lector at St. Boniface, and served on the Diocesan School Board. He was a 4th Degree Luke E. Hart General Assembly member of the Knights of Columbus Earling Council 1741. He took an interest in local and national politics, and attended many local caucus meetings. His hobbies included watching sports, stamp collecting, crossword puzzles, reading, and playing cards. Roman died on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan having attained the age of ninety years, four months, and twenty-one days.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sally in July, 2015, his daughter Carol Hardy, brother Joseph and wife Irene Leuschen, Anna and husband Pete Wilwerding, sister Ruth Friedrichsen, and brother-in-law Francis Schmitz. He is survived by children Jane (William) Grote of Council Bluffs, IA, Sue of Houston, TX, Mary (Robert) Maley of Omaha, NE, Roger (Robin) Leuschen of Council Bluffs, IA, Russell (Lisa Ambrose) of Omaha, NE, Eileen (Keith) Schwery of Panama, IA, Amy (David) Loseke of Cave Creek, AZ, and Ryan (Melissa) Leuschen of Panama, IA; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, son-in-law Steve Hardy of Des Moines, IA; sister Norma Schmitz of Denison, IA; brother-in-law Don Friedrichsen of Council Bluffs, IA; sister-in-law Jane (Leo) Rau of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law Urban Henscheid of Harlan, IA; sister-in-law Theresa Henscheid of Harlan, IA; other family members, and many friends.
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