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OBITUARIES Leonard F. Kostka

OBITUARIES

Leonard F. Kostka

MASON CITY — Leonard F. Kostka, 93, of Mason City, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at the Muse Norris Inpatient Unit, Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City.

A memorial service will held at 11 am, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, with Pastor Ed Bard officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery following the service. A gathering of friends and family will be held at 1425 Plymouth Road, after inurnment. Leonard’s family is requesting that those who attend please dress casually and if possible, wear Chicago Cubs blue.

Leonard Frank Kostka was born June 20, 1922 on a farm in rural Hanlontown, to James and Anna Kostka. He attended schools in the Protivin area, and worked on various family farms near Cresco and Protivin.

Leonard enjoyed playing baseball on many traveling teams in the Cresco/Protivin area. He was offered, but unable to accept, a contract from the St. Louis Cardinals because of his family commitment on the farm. Leonard was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan; which started when he and his father took the train from Decorah to Chicago to attend games at Wrigley Field. Leonard enjoyed photographing baseball players, especially Iowa-born players, and sending the photos to the players requesting their autographs. He was a true fan and would not leave a game until the last out, no matter what the score. He bowled in leagues and earned many bowling trophies. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge, receiving his 55-year pin in 2015.

Leonard married the love of his life, Gladys Mrachek, in Cresco on Aug. 25, 1947, and the couple spent their honeymoon at a Cubs game. They were married just 26 days shy of 60 years at the time of Gladys’ death. The couple was blessed with two sons, Gary and James.

After farming for many years, he drove truck, and worked at Borden’s Dairy for 29 years as a route driver and in the plant in Charles City, and then in Mason City until the plant closed in 1980. After Borden’s, he worked at Mercy Hospital in several departments.

Leonard had a wonderful sense of humor, and delighted people with his witty quips. Leonard was the first one to help out a neighbor or friend.

Leonard is survived by his two sons, Gary (Jan) Kostka, Mason City; and James (Dori) Kostka, Northwood; grandchildren, Ben (Kaitlynn Hawbaker) Kostka, Charles City; John (Micki) Kostka, Apple Valley, Minn.; and Megan (Rob Dietz) Kostka, Ames; great-grandchildren, Noah, Karlee, and JD Kostka; sister-in-law, Grace Lienhard, Johnston; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who were very important to Leonard.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys (Mrachek) Kostka, his parents, Jim and Anna Kostka, and two brothers, William and Clarence Kostka.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in appreciation of the care that was given to Leonard.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, IA, 641-423-2372, ColonialChapels.com.

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