Leon Lester Achterberg

PORTAGE -- Leon Lester Achterberg, age 77 of Portage, WI passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 17,2016  at his home surrounded by his family.

Leon was born on September 15, 1938 in Portage, WI, son of Lester and Margaret (Portzen) Achterberg.  He attended St. Mary’s Catholic grade school and graduated from Portage High School in 1956. Following high school Leon worked for Kroger Grocery store in Lodi, WI where he met his wife, Ardis.  They were married October 3, 1959 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lodi, WI.  Leon managed Kohls Food Stores in Madison, WI for 20 years then worked as an operations manager for Schoepps Ice Cream before retiring in 1999.

Leon was an avid outdoors man; he loved spending time with his family snowmobiling, boating, waterskiing, fishing, and hunting. He was known for his meticulously kept gardens and flowers. Leon and Ardis spent their marriage dancing, traveling together, and enjoying their grandchildren’s many events. Leon was a simple man with a tremendous heart, who instilled in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren a zest for life and an adventurous spirit!

One of Leon and Ardis joys was retreating to their Florida home each winter.  He was always proud to sport his Wisconsin gear and start conversation.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a  life-long member of Knights of Columbus and The Elks Club.

Leon is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ardis (Ness) and two children: Cindy (Mike) Lardy of Montello, WI and Todd (Lisa) Achterberg of Eagle River, WI.  He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Erin Lardy, Henry Austin Lardy, Kirstin Lardy, Josh (Amber) Achterberg, Taylor (Brent) Miller and two great-grandchildren Blake and Brooks Achterberg.  Leon is further survived by three sisters: Eleanor Scheel and JoAnn Russell of Madison, WI, Nancy Schmidt of Oxford, WI, and numerous other family members.  Leon was preceded in death by his parents, his niece Shirley Scheel, and three brother-in-laws: William Scheel, Alfred Russell, and Willis Schmidt.

His family plans to honor his memory by passing on the values he taught them and creating new traditions around the activities he loved.  They would like to thank his nurses and Agrace HospiceCare for his care these past months. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to Agrace HospiceCare, Inc., or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Portage.