Leo James Kirkegaard

Leo James Kirkegaard, 89, of Sioux City passed away on Thursday July 11, 2013, at a Sioux City hospital, surrounded by loved ones. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military rites by the U.S. Naval Reserves. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Leo was born the son of Phillip C. and Dora Marie (Tanderup) Kirkegaard on Sept. 22, 1923, in Garfield Township, near Beresford, SD. He and his family moved to Sioux City in 1934, where his father farmed on a family homestead adjacent to Country Club Boulevard. As Leo always said, each of his brothers had seven brothers and two sisters. Leo attended Bryant School and Central High School. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Leo honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve on Dec. 13, 1942, in Kansas City, Kan. He was called to duty on Aug. 3, 1942, and served during World War II until his honorable discharge on Aug. 9, 1946. He served as an aviation machinist 2nd class in Norman, Okla., Jacksonville, Fla., and Seattle, Wash. He was on Whidey Island, Wash., when the war ended and was sent to Chicago for shore patrol school. He spent his last nine months of service as a shore patrolman in Omaha. Following his discharge, Leo began his college/graduate studies at the University of South Dakota and Iowa State University in veterinary medicine, graduating as a doctor of veterinary medicine from Iowa State University in 1951. Leo married Florence Evelyn Frank on Aug. 26, 1947, in Papillion, Neb. The couple made their home in Omaha. They were blessed with two daughters, Cheryl Lynn and Sandra Lee. Leo always referred to them as his "two little angels." Leo and Florence made their home in Omaha, where Leo began his veterinary practice, first in partnership, and then opening his own practice, South Omaha Animal Hospital. Leo enjoyed being a vet to both large and small animals. He retired from veterinary medicine in 1982. He remained interested in his profession through his co-ownership of the Animal Emergency Clinic in Omaha. He and Florence moved to Sioux City in 1995. Florence passed away Feb. 19, 2005. While in Omaha, Leo enjoyed bowling in a weekly evening bowling league. He was a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. Leo was an avid cribbage player. His wise words of wisdom well remembered by his daughters are, "It is better to be an hour early than a minute late," "It all will come out in the wash," and "Things done by halves are never done right." His philosophy of working hard, doing things right, getting an education and supporting oneself led others to respect him. Leo will be long remembered for his generosity, playful sense of humor and his teasing ways. His sense of humor was apparent until the end of his days. He loved his parents, siblings, immediate family and extended families very much. Leo will lovingly be remembered by his daughters, Cheryl (Don) Noble of Metolius, Ore., and Sandie LaMaster (Craig) of Sioux City; one sister, Faye Cobb; three brothers, Dale (Patricia), Milo (Rita), and Wayne (Mary); three sisters-in-law, Patricia, Ruth and Carolyn; stepdaughter-in-law, Jane Doman; eight grandchildren, Phillip Noble, Dana Noble, Russell (Janet) Noble, Lisa (Alex) Dearborn, Mark (Jenny) LaMaster, Holly (Mike) Hesse, Douglas Doman Jr., and Gordon Doman; great-grandchildren, Leah Noble, Douglas Noble, Isaac Dearborn, Max Dearborn, Zoe Dearborn, Hannah LaMaster, Lincoln LaMaster, Isabelle Hesse and Zach Hesse; and many nieces and nephews. Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; his parents; one sister, Marian Hintz; four brothers, Virgil, Clayton, Paul and Robert; and one stepson, Douglas Doman; and two brothers-in-law, Garland Cobb and Harold Hintz. Pallbearers will be Mark LaMaster, Alex Dearborn, Michael Hesse and Russell Noble. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Leo's name to the Siouxland Humane Society. To our Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa we say, "We love you more our turn."