Leo Wisdorf

Leo John Wisdorf, age 89 of Faribault, MN and formerly of Windom, MN passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield, MN.

Leo was born March 14, 1932, on a farm one mile south of Fulda, MN.  He was the son of Margaret (Brady) and John J. Wisdorf.  In 1938, he and his family moved to a farm 3 ½ miles northeast of Lime Creek.  He attended Saint Gabriel’s School in Fulda from Kindergarten-grade 8.  He then attended grades 9-12 at Fulda Public School, graduating in 1950.

Leo served in the Army during the Korean War from 1953-1955.  After discharge, he returned home and was employed with John Haumesser Construction until 1958.

Leo married JoAnn Illg on Feb. 2, 1957 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Avoca.  Born to this union were Alan, Faribault, MN. and Lisa, of Northfield MN.
In 1958, he and his family moved to a farm east of Avoca and went farming full time until 1969.

In March of 1969, Leo started working with Fairland Management Co., in Windom, MN.  He worked in farm management for 26 years, retiring 3-1-95. He was also involved in real estate sales for a number of those years.  Following his retirement, he did not lose his love of farming.  He always enjoyed studying the fields and talking crops with his friends and nephew.

Leo was baptized and confirmed at St Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. Following his marriage, he became a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Avoca from 1958-1969. After moving to Windom, he was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He was active in his church, where he served as Eucharistic Minister. He joined the Knights of Columbus in Slayton in 1959 and was a member until his death.  In May of 2018, Leo and his son, Alan, moved to Faribault. They lived in a senior coop called “Cardinal Pointe”, and were happy to be closer to Lisa.  While in Faribault, Leo was a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Church.

Leo was a 4H member for 11 years in Murray County.  He was a charter member of Windom’s Lions Club, belonging for 18 years.  He served several years as secretary and also as treasurer for the club.  For 20 plus years, he was an active participant in the Minnesota Chapter of The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, serving a term as President.  He also belonged to the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.  He was a life member of the American Legion, Post 206. He served 30 years on the board of directors for the Home for Creative Living, later known as Preferred Residential Lifestyles-HCL, Inc.

Leo loved to golf.  He was a member of the Windom County Club from 1982 thru 2017.
He scored two holes-in-one, the second at age 80.  He played on many courses, some close to home, and others as far away as Alaska.  Leo also loved to vacation with his family and friends at Lake Okoboji, Iowa, cruise down the Mississippi River with good friends, and travel across the U.S. with JoAnn.

Leo could fix almost anything, and had a garage and basement full of tools.  He was also a master at assembling furniture and other items, including a number of grills for a dear friend.

Leo was very generous and often helped others mow lawns and blow snow. He was a loving and supportive husband and father, and he will be dearly missed.
Surviving are his son, Alan Wisdorf, Faribault and daughter, Lisa Wisdorf, Northfield; two brothers, John Wisdorf of Oakdale, MN and Eugene Wisdorf of Chaska, MN; two sisters, Claire Wisdorf of St. Paul, MN and Margaret (Tom) Gurucharri of Louisville, KY; sisters-in-law, Mary T. Wisdorf, Elaine Gaul and JoEllyn Ruppert; brother-in-law, Jim Pippett and 14 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife JoAnn, JoAnn’s parents, his parents and brothers Robert and Jerry, sister, Jeanette Manning, brothers-in-law, John Manning, Delvin Gaul and Melvin Ruppert and sister-in-law, Janice Pippett.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with Fr. Cory Rohlfing officiating.  Interment will be held at St. Gabriel Cemetery in Fulda, MN on Monday afternoon at 3:45 p.m.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home, 1725 Lyndale Ave. N. in Faribault, on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour prior to services.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society, a local food shelf or the charity of your choice in Leo’s name.