Paul D. Leidall, 87

Published 10:27 am Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Paul D. Leidall “PD”, 87, of Osage, Iowa, (formerly St. Ansgar), died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage with his wife, Melba and his four children by his side.

Paul Leidall

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Dr. Byron Northwick officiating. Burial will be in St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, 207 South School Street, St. Ansgar Iowa.

Paul Duane Leidall was born on April 18, 1924, in Austin, Minn., to Clifford and Clara (Reuter) Leidall. Two other children were born to this union Cleo (Leidall) Libersky of St. Ansgar and his late brother Myron (Mike) Leidall of Pomona, Calif.

Paul attended schools in Rose Creek and Mona area while working with his father on the family farm. In March 1944, Paul joined the Navy and completed his basic training in Idaho. He served as a gunner’s mate while assigned to the battleship U.S.S. West Virginia. Deployed to the South Pacific and primarily involved in battles in the Philippines. He was discharged in April 1946.

Paul was united in marriage to LoRetta Myhre at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, on June 29, 1947. This union was blessed with four children. Paul was hired by the Interstate Power Company in 1947 as an electrical service man; later promoted to service representative for the St. Ansgar region. In part, one responsibility was reading meters. As a result, he came to know almost everyone in the communities of St. Ansgar, Lyle and Mitchell. One of his favorite jobs was hanging the city Christmas lights every year. He retired in 1986 after 39 years.

Passionate and dedicated to the American Legion Post 358, he volunteered countless hours. He truly enjoyed the camaraderie and membership for 65 years. Paul’s hobbies included camping, golfing and playing pool and cards with friends. Curious by how things worked, he loved puttering in his shop building motor scooters, go-carts, trailers and finally a motor home. Paul cherished his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Paul was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and also attended Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage.

On July 19, 1993, Paul wed Melba Mayer of Osage. Paul and Melba spent many memorable times together traveling, golfing and playing cards with friends and family.

Survivors include his wife, Melba (Mayer) Leidall, Osage; two sons, Terry of St. Ansgar; and Dennis (Skeet) Leidall of Santa Barbara, Calif.; two daughters, Debbi (Leidall) Shouman of La Quinta, Calif., and Tori (Leidall) Lowe of La Quinta, Calif.; Eight grandchildren; Nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Cleo (Leidall) Libersky, St. Ansgar; and several nieces and nephews.

Paul is preceded in death by his wife, LoRetta, daughter in law, Marcia (Johnson)Leidall; parents, Clara and Clifford, and brother, Myron (Mike).

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar is in charge of arrangements. (641) 713-4920.