Obituary of Leon A. Kline

Leon A. “Zip” Kline, Age 88, of Loyal, passed away the morning of Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the House of The Dove in Marshfield. His funeral service will be held at 5:00PM on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer. The Rev. Joe Weiers will officiate. Burial will take place on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 10:30AM at the Town of Richfield Cemetery with full military rites being conducted by the American Legion Post 54 of Marshfield. A visitation will be held on Sunday at the funeral home in Spencer from 2:00 PM until time of service. Leon was born in Athens on August 19, 1924, son of the late Ira and Laura (Gilbert) Kline. He served proudly in the United States Navy until his honorable discharge. Leon married the former Viola Hallowell on July 16, 1947. Sadly Viola passed away June 23, 1990. He later married Ruth Oestreich Kline on November 16, 1991 at the Loyal Methodist Church. Ruth survives. His employment included working for the SooLine Railroad in Marshfield, a farm hand and custodial work for Mid-Sate Truck in Marshfield. His hobbies included fishing, feeding the birds that frequented his back yard, gardening and just working outside.Leon really loved taking road trips and visiting family and friends. Survivors include his loving wife Ruth of Loyal, his children: Bonnie (Al) Christensen of Shoreview, MN; Jerrold (Jann) Kline of Battle Lake, MN; Candace (John) Berg of Big Lake, MN; Daniel Kline of North Liberty, IA and Faith (David) Schmidt of Marshfield; his grandchildren: Lisa Christensen, Christy Berg, Laura Duerr and Joshua Schmidt; his great grandchildren: Brandon, Briana, Brasia, Jonathan and Katherine. Leon is further survived by his step children: Jim (Judy) Oestreich of Havasu City, AZ; Bill Oestreich of Loyal; Michael (Jan) Oestreich of Eau Clarie; David (Deb) Oestreich of Neillsville; Alice Sciezor of Hastings, MN and Joyce Bittner of Marshfield, many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; two brothers: Charles (Gerri) Kline of Rib Lake and Robert (Agnes) Kline of Tomah and very special friends of Leon, the Nelson Family of Marshfield along with many other relatives and friends. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Viola, a granddaughter Jennie Berg; a sister Irene Peterson; a brother Paul Kline; a sister-in-law Vivian Kline; a niece Cindy Kline; a nephew David Kline; a step grandson Eric Werni, Jr and a step granddaughter Emma Bakken. Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.