Leo P. Blau

PORTAGE  --  Leo P. Blau, age 85, of Caledonia Township, passed away on Monday, November 15, 2010 at his home.

Leo was born on November 20, 1924 in Plain, WI,  the son of Frank and Rose (Ruhland) Blau.  He enjoyed farming, volunteering at the hospital, delivering Meals-on-Wheels, and making rosaries.  Leo was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, and Fr. Bourgmeyer Fourth Degree General Assembly Knights of Columbus #1198, where he had served as Grand Knight. 

He is survived by his children, son-in-law, Steve Krejchik, Portage, Robert (Cindy) Blau, Portage, Thomas Blau, Edgerton, WI, Catherine (Randall) Balliet, Appleton, Janet (John) DiGuiseppi, Rockford, IL, Linda Cramer, Anna Maria, FL, and Connie (Bruce) Lamprech, Onalaska;  eleven grandchildren;  many great-grandchildren;  his brothers and sisters, Florence Krejchik, Portage, Charles Blau, Merrimac, Joe (Donna) Blau, Menomonee Falls, Rose Ann Blau, Hartford, Alvin (Karen) Blau, Menomonee Falls, John (Lorrell) Blau, Wisconsin Dells, Leonard (Janice) Blau, Merrimac, and Luke (Chris) Blau, Merrimac;  his sister-in-law, Clara Blau, Merrimac;  his brother-in-law, Gerald Lange, Briggsville;  a special family friend, Esther Staudenmayer, Portage;  other near relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose, a brother, Laddie Kout, a sister, Mary Lange, a brother, Edwin Blau, and a beloved daughter, Susan Krejchik.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30  a.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Home Health United Hospice.

The family would like to thank Maggie Mraz and daughters for their special care of Leo.