Frank Leu, age 74, formerly of Sibley passed away on Wednesday, April 24th.
Celebration of life services will be at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Des Moines on Thursday, May 9 from 4:30-6:30 pm with a brief prayer service at 5:30 pm. Another celebration of life service will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley on Saturday, May 11 with visitation 12-2 pm, and service at 2 with a light lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials to Osceola County Conservation, Sibley First Presbyterian Church and EveryStep Hospice in Des Moines.
Frank William Leu was born on June 14, 1944; the first bundle of joy for Oliver and WillaJean (Williams) Leu. He would grow to become a protective big brother for his four younger siblings. He spent his early years on a farm in Southwest Minnesota, and loved to share his wonderful memories of this time with his grandparents (Hannah and Rudy Meier). Oliver and WillaJean moved their family to Sibley, Iowa where Frank would finish high school and meet the love of his life, Sue Stachour. After high school Frank joined the United States Navy and spent six years serving his country. Frank and Sue got married at First Presbyterian Church in Sibley on a very hot afternoon – August 2, 1963. After Frank was released from the Navy the couple moved several times as Frank built his sales career. Throughout all those moves, they still managed to have all three daughters – Shelly, Stacy and Suzanne – born and baptized in Sibley. It was truly their home base.
Frank and Sue eventually moved their young family back to Sibley where Frank would take over his father-in-law’s business – United Farm Service. They stayed in Sibley while they raised their family and throughout career changes for Frank. The girls grew up, moved away, got married and started families of their own. Frank and Sue enjoyed having the family all come to Sibley or they would hop in the car for a weekend visit. Family has always been important to Frank and he loved it when everyone was together. Seven years ago, Frank and Sue made the decision to leave Sibley and moved to Grimes, Iowa in order to be closer to family. They enjoyed their home, meeting new friends and getting involved in their new church home. Frank wasn’t one to be idle, so a few months after their move, he took a job with Joy Ride in Des Moines and enjoyed driving people to medical appointments or those with special needs to work – he had several ‘regulars’ with whom he built relationships. His goal everyday was to make his riders smile before they got out of the car or van. It was important for him to share his faith and reflect God’s light to those around him.
Frank was always a faithful, optimistic, civic-minded individual. He was active in the communities they lived in and churches they belonged to – serving in a variety of ways. Frank grew up surrounded by music – he loved making it and listening to it. He participated in several quartets beginning in high school and lasting until his retirement. He and Sue also enjoyed live music in Branson, Missouri and around Des Moines or wherever they could find it. A large Leu gathering wouldn’t be complete without singing the table grace in perfect four-part harmony. Frank was an avid fisherman – off the dock, in waders, in the boat or on the ice. He certainly enjoyed trips to Canada with friends but always found peace catching (or trying to catch) pan fish throughout the Iowa Great Lakes. He was passionate about conservation and spent many years as part of the Osceola County Conservation board. He also loved cars – old and new – and treated his own with white glove service. While he enjoyed his hobbies and interests he truly believed that his family was his greatest treasure.
Frank had some serious health scares after he retired. He was diagnosed with Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma in 2007, received chemotherapy and enjoyed remission until the Lymphoma came back in 2014. After that chemo regimen he was blessed with another remission. He had a quadruple bypass in January of 2015 and after a difficult procedure and recovery he made an impressive comeback (as he was known to do). His health began to decline last fall and he received a diagnosis of stage IV metastatic colon cancer in early February, at which point the cancer was very pervasive and declared incurable. He was a courageous fighter and wanted to try palliative chemotherapy, but the cancer was aggressive and outpaced the impacts of the treatment. He transitioned to Hospice care in early April and enjoyed time with his family in his home until he passed away peacefully, asleep in his bed during the early morning hours on April 24, 2019.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sue; his daughters Shelly (Ned) Dau, Stacy (Clark) McDermott and Suzanne Cohrs; his grandchildren Maggie & Alex Dau, Max (Gabbie), Olivia, Molly, Ruby & Ethan McDermott, Ellie & Ben Cohrs; his siblings Renee Tillotson, Bruce (Jolene) Leu, Grant (DeLinda) Leu, Mona (Phil) Milne and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Oliver & Willa Jean Leu; his brother-in-law Todd Tillotson and nieces Megan and Jamie Leu.
