Rechtenbach, Leo Glade (1932 - 2025)

RECHTENBACH, MCDERMOTT, SCHRADER, DARLING, ANDERSEN, POPP, SOPPE, ROBISON, MATTAS, WIGHT

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/10/2025 at 16:47:22

Name of deceased: Leo Glade Rechtenbach

Aged: 92 yrs, 5 mo, 7 days

Residence: Walnut, IA

Born: Aug. 15, 1932; rural Bridgewater, Jackson Township, Adair County, IA

Died: Jan. 22, 2025; Jennie Edmondson Hospital, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, IA

Funeral services: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025; First Presbyterian Church, Walnut, IA; burial was in Layton Township Cemetery, Walnut, IA

Survived by: Daughter, Bobbie (spouse, Jim) McDermott of Walnut, IA; sons, Marc Rechtenbach of Shelby, IA and Eric Rechtenbach of Walnut, IA; sisters, Elma Schrader of Jefferson, IA and Norma Darling of Council Bluffs, IA; granddaughters, Megan (spouse, Brian) Andersen of Omaha, NE, Nellie (spouse, Brian) Popp of Sioux Falls, SD, and Annabelle (spouse, Jonathan) Soppe of Platteville, WI; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Susan Robison and Patsy (spouse, Bill) Mattas; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Daniel and Lucy Rechtenbach; wife of 50 years, Jeanette; son, Scott Rechtenbach; brother, Ronald (and spouse, Rosie); brothers-in-law, David Darling, Dallas Schrader, and Paul Robison

Education: Attended Adams County (IA) country school and graduated from Bridgewater High School, Class of 1950. Leo was valedictorian of his graduating class of 8 students, where there were 2 other classmates named Leo and 1 other classmate with the last name of Rechtenbach.

Religious affiliation: Member, Walnut Presbyterian Church, Walnut, IA

Military service: Entered in the U. S. Army in 1953. He was on a ship heading to Germany when the conflict in Korea ended. He was trained in demolition and booby traps and was a jeep driver for the officers on the base. Honorably discharged in 1955 after attaining the rank of Corporal.

Marriage: Jeanette Joy Wight; 1959; location not provided

Employment: After high school, he farmed and worked on bridge construction before he entered the Army in 1953. Returning from the Army in 1955, he went back to work building bridges for 50+ more years. He worked for Hobe Engineering/Elk Horn Construction for most of that time, building many of the bridges on I-80. While working in the Walnut, IA area in 1966, he and Jeanette purchased the farm south of town where, through the years, they raised horses and hogs. After retiring, he and Jeanette ran a B&B for 7 years. They had several chickens that supplied the eggs.

Hobbies/Interests: Member, American Legion for more than 50 years and was treasurer for the Walnut post for more than 20 years. With Jeanette, they enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Germany in 1972, bus trips to both coasts, and taking an Amtrak train to New England. He enjoyed playing cards and he and Jeanette were in a pinochle club with 5 other couples for more than 30 years. In recent years, he would play pitch at the Walnut Welcome Center twice a week. He took pride in how the farm looked and received an award from The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Successful Farming magazine for how well the barn, built in 1887, was maintained. Bobbie, Megan, and Nellie all had their weddings in the garden. He enjoyed watching the birds that came to the feeders, and watching old western movies and TV shows.

Sources: pauleyjones.com; findagrave.com