Leland J. Wenzel, 93 of Lena, passed away at Oakley Courts in Freeport on Wednesday, November 1, 2017.  He was born June 30, 1924 to Olga and Benjamin Wenzel of Winslow, Ill.  He graduated from Winslow High School in 1942 and then went into the farming profession.

He married Marjorie Ammon on August 2, 1946 in Monroe, WI.  They shared over 64 years together watching their family grow.  They were blessed with two children:  Sharon (Robert) Nichols of Oswego, IL, and Brian (Jo) Wenzel of Kent, IL, six grandchildren: Benjamin (Megan) Wenzel of Dakota, IL, Jessica (Jon) Campbell of Champlin, MN; Seth (Shannon) Wenzel of Lena, IL; Kevin (Sara) Dee of Bozeman, MT; Patrick (Karla) Nichols of Raleigh, NC; and Steve (Amy) Nichols of West Bridgewater, MA.; fifteen great grandchildren: Andrew, Noah, Gretchen, Liesl, Wilson, Olivia, Amelia, Charlotte, Henry, Griffin, Dolores, Leland, Isabelle, Ethan, Crosby; and the five children and 10 grandchildren of Federico and Leticia Zermeno of Leon, Mexico who adopted him as their second father and grandfather.  He is also survived by his sister Marion Fahr, and brother-in-law, John Ammon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marjorie; his brothers Walter and Edwin; sister-in-Laws Alice Mae Wenzel, Jean Wenzel, Marion Timmerman, Orla Ammon; and brother-in-laws John Timmerman, and Edgar Fahr.

Leland farmed for over 55 years with the majority of that time spent in Kent, IL.   He was a good steward of the land, and saw many changes in farming methods over the years.  He picked corn by hand in the beginning of his career, and witnessed his son farm with GPS guided equipment in later years.

He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for more than 85 years and served as president of the counsel, and Sunday school superintendent.  He was active in many organizations that benefited the agricultural community, and Lena where he lived for over 30 years.  He served as president of the Lena Lions club, Stephenson Co Farm Bureau, Illinois Charolais Breeders, Stephenson Co Livestock Feeders, and the Lena Continental Nursing Home.  He also served on the boards of the Stephenson Service Company, Pearl City School District, Western Stephenson Co Area Development, Lena Retreat, and the Lena Zoning Board of Appeals.  He was the last surviving charter member of the Lena Lions Club that was formed in 1949.  Planning and working in Lions Club activities such as the Lena Fall Festival, Operation Good Fellow, Highway pick up, Carnation Day, etc. were activities that he enthusiastically participated in.  He was a Melvin Jones Fellow, and Lions Foundation Fellow – Lions Club awards for outstanding service.

He and Marjorie traveled in most of the fifty states including Hawaii and Alaska.  They also traveled numerous times to Mexico, and enjoyed a trip to Europe.

Leland loved traveling, golfing, gardening, fishing and hunting.  He took pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.  He will be remembered for the love and guidance he gave his family over the years, and the service he gave to his community and church.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena.

Visitation will be from 4-8:00 PM on Friday, November 10, 2017 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena.

Pastor Miho Yasukawa will officiate the services.

Interment will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena.