Leonard Tews, 93, Albert Lea

Published 10:19 am Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Funeral services for Leonard Arthur Albert Tews, 93, of Myrtle, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle. The Rev. Ronald Myers will officiate. Interment will be in Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Leonard Tews

Leonard died on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

Leonard Arthur Albert Tews was born on May 26, 1919, on the family farm near Myrtle, the son of William and Bertha (Weber) Tews. He attended country school through the eighth grade and then started farming with his father and then in partnership with his brother Leon. After Leon’s death, Leonard married Yvonne Davis at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956. They were foster parents for a few years and then had a son, Henry, in 1961, Curt in 1967, and adopted a daughter, Holly, in 1969.

Leonard was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and farmed for 70 years. He and Yvonne farmed together milking Guernsey cows and raising Chester White pigs, along with a variety of other farm animals. Leonard was well known for his love of and work with horses. He had a team of work horses he used daily for chores and he enjoyed driving them in local parades as well. Leonard loved farming with his John Deere tractors and especially enjoyed seeding oats in the spring. He was active on the church council, was a 4-H leader for many years and on various creamery boards. Leonard and Yvonne were caretakers of Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery and custodians of the church for several years. He enjoyed showing horses and cattle at county fairs, going to auctions and to the sale barn. He loved visiting with neighbors and friends, going out to eat and especially spending time with family.

Survivors include his children, Henry (Becky) Tews of rural Myrtle and Holly (Chuck) Clarke of Glenville; grandchildren, Heather (Zach) Wynia, Tyler (Kelsi) Tews, Brittany (Jeff) Heiken and Spencer and Nicholas Krier; great-grandchildren, Kail, Karlee, Kasson and Kray Wynia and Dylan and Baker Tews; step-grandchildren, Mandy (Travis) Schultz, Nancy (Steven) Franck, Chuck Jr. (Lori) Clarke, A.J. (Holly) Clarke; step-great-grandchildren, Olivia Schultz, Ethan and Kaylee Franck and Maura, Patrick, Kevin, Darren and Daria Clarke; brother-in-law, Laurell (Clarice) Davis; sister-in-law, Margie Davis; and many nephews, nieces and special cousins.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Yvonne; grandparents; son, Curt; sister, Esther (Jens) Kirk; brothers, Leon, Martin and Lawrence; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Curtis Davis, Emery (Clarice) Davis and Alton (Arliss) Davis.

The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Society for the loving care given to Leonard over the years. Memorials are suggested to Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery.