Earl Leon Lechner, 81
Published 7:01 am Sunday, February 19, 2017
Earl Leon Lechner, 81, of Rockwell, Iowa, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at his home.
Earl was born July 25, 1935, the son of George and Cora (Peterson) Lechner in Oakland, Minnesota. He married Marjorie Becker on Aug. 17, 1955, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Osage, Iowa. He later married Beverly Christopher on Aug. 29, 1987, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura. She preceded him in death on Oct. 25, 2014.
Lechner
Earl grew up and attended school in Oakland. He joined the National Guard and was honorably discharged on March 25, 1959. He worked most of his life as a truck driver.
Earl was an avid fan of golf, NASCAR and the Minnesota Vikings. He liked camping, fishing and riding his motorcycle. Most of all, he cherished the time he spent with his family and grandchildren.
Earl is survived by 11 children, David Lechner of Clear Lake, Iowa, James Lechner of Clear Lake, Deneen (Mick) Schweiger of Osage, Dana (Nancy) Lechner of Corpus Christi, Texas, Tina Chapin of Clear Lake, Diane Hitchcock of Ottumwa, Iowa, Yvonne (Doug) Arrick of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Connie (Leon) Weaver of Rockwell, Charlene (Tom) Starr of Rockwell, Tim (Jenny) Hitchcock of Mason City, Iowa, and Tom (Shelly) Hitchcock of Rockwell; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold Lechner of Austin, Minnesota; and two sisters-in-law, Marlene Lechner of Austin and Carrie Duckett of Rockwell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a grandson, Grant Hitchcock; a sister, Joyce (Fred) Zech; and a brother, Dean Lechner.
A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, with Pastor Rhea Evanson officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, with military honors provided by the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Family suggests memorial contributions to the Mercy-North Iowa Cancer Center in Mason City.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. 641-357-2193. ColonialChapels.com.