Leo V. Hess

LEO VERNON HESS was born to Vernon and Josephine (Newell) Hess on August 18, 1922 on a farm southwest of Grundy Center, Iowa. In 1928, he moved with his parents to a farm southwest of Pipestone, Minnesota where he was raised and attended country school in District #35. He continued his education at Pipestone High School. After his high school graduation in 1940, he helped on the family farm. In 1944, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Europe during World War II, earning numerous medals, including the Purple Heart with Clusters and the Presidential Citation. When he was discharged from the service on April 13, 1946, he returned to the family farm. In December, 1948, he was united in marriage to Inge Gunzrodt at Zion United Methodist Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived on the farm. In addition to raising five children, Leo also raised hogs, fed cattle, milked cows, and raised corn and beans. On April 12, 1980, he was united in marriage to Anna Demars. After their marriage, they lived on the farm and Leo continued to work the land until his retirement in 1994 at the age of 72. Anna preceded him in death on March 25, 2011. After her death, Leo remained on the farm. On December 18, 2012, he was admitted to the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He died there on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at the age of 90 years, six months and 16 days.

Leo was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in rural Pipestone since 1928. He was also a member of the first Honor Flight for World War II veterans from southwest Minnesota to tour Washington, D.C. Farming was his life-long vocation and he worked at it to the best of his ability. He was an avid reader of geography and history. His five children were a great source of joy for him and he never regretted the time and help he gave them so that they could live as independent and hardworking adults.

He is lovingly remembered by his five children, Leo Hess, Jr. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Paul Hess and his wife Candi of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mary Jane Keller and her husband David of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Dean Hess and his wife Marcie of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Robert Hess and his wife Becky of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; Leo’s three step-children, Jerry Demars and his wife Vera of Walker, Minnesota, Edith 'Louise' Appeldorn and her husband Harold of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Karen Peterson and her husband Jerry of Grand Blanc, Michigan; 10 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and his three sisters, Lois Benson of Wausau, Wisconsin, Dorothy Stratton of Ankeny, Iowa, and Donna Hoey and her husband Jim of LeMars, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; his parents; two brothers, Wayne and Ralph Hess; two sisters, Ruth Rogan and Letha Conrad; and one stepgranddaughter, Nicole Peterson.