Leon T. Dreger, 84, of Kenosha, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha. Born in Kenosha on February 15, 1925, he was the son of the late Theodore and Martha (Rakow) Dreger. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, he attended Vocational School, where he studied Vocational Agriculture for 4 years. He entered the United States Army on October 4, 1943, landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy on the beach known as Omaha Red. Of the 75 man demolition team in his landing craft, he was one of only 5 soldiers to make it to the beach alive. He served in the 30th Infantry Division, also known as the Work Horse of the Western Front and was wounded on October 8, 1944, at Alsdorf, Germany. He returned to proudly fight in the Battle of the Bulge directly out of the hospital, still wearing his bandages. Leon was honorably discharged on November 8, 1945. He received the Purple Heart, five Bronze Battle Stars, a silver star and many other medals. On August 13, 1955, at Atonement Church in Racine, he married Beverly E. Buechner. Leon started farming in 1947 in Kenosha and Racine County. He also worked at American Motors, Massey Harris and Nash Motors. Later he was Adjustor and President of Kenosha County Mutual Insurance Company. In 1985 he retired from farming and 1992 from the Insurance Company. He had served on Somers Planning Commission since 1968 and was Chairman of the Commission for 20 years, was a member of the Southeastern Regional Planning Commission, Kenosha County Farm Bureau and served on the Board of Directors as Chairman, Board of Directors of the Farm Services, a branch of the Farm Bureau, Life member of the 30th Infantry Division Assoc., also was President of both National and Midwest Chapter of 30th Division Association, V.F.W. Post #1865, Disabled American Veterans and the Purple Heart, PLAV, Military Order of the Cooties, Pup Tent Six, Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14, Westosha Kiwanis, Wisconsin Soybean Board, President of Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, National Soybean Marketing Board, he also served on the National Soybean Executive Board, Board of Directors of the Brown Bank, and Independence Group and First Wisconsin Bank. He served on the committee that rewrote the County Zoning Ordinance, Kenosha County Board of Review, part of the time as chairman. He is survived by Beverly, his wife of 54 years; a son, Dwight Elliot Dreger of Schaumburg, IL; a daughter, Sandra Lee (Phil) Hall of Dallas, TX; two brothers, Elliot Dreger of Arroyo Grande, CA, and Garriet Dreger of Pleasant Prairie; and two sisters, Dorothy Reck of Kenosha and Lila Mutchler of Pleasant Prairie. He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Mutchler. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 8th, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Interment, with full Military Honors, will follow at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Monday at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 6p.m., and on Tuesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Leon’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
BT. & Paula Adams
September 6, 2009
Dear Elliot and family Saddened to read of your loss. Knew your brother and worked with him on occassion. He was truly a remarkable gentleman in every way.Our thoughts and prayers are with you. BT.& Paula 1(920)3850089
Steve and Kris (Olsen) Thrailkill
September 5, 2009
To Dwight and the entire Dreger family,Please accept our deepest condolences. May God hold you all close at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Louis Rugani
September 4, 2009
Thank you for your friendship, Leon, and for our work together with the committee on the ICARE project in the early-to-mid 1990s.
Kifflie Scott
September 4, 2009
Dear Beverly, Sandy & Dwight:I am sorry to read of Leon's death. I have fond memories of visiting you all on the farm and enjoying his hospitality and his wonderful sense of humor. He certainly lived a long and full life. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.Kifflie
Sandy Wiess
September 3, 2009
Dwight,I am very sorry for your loss. This is very sad time for your and your family and I will keep you all in my prayers.
Kathy Peterson
September 2, 2009
Dwight, I am so sorry to hear about your dad and I wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers.