Karl John Leppien

Karl John Leppien was born on March 7th, 1926, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Albertine and Fredrick Leppien. Karl was raised in Saginaw where he graduated from Arthur Hill High School. He served in WWII as a cryptographer in the Army Air Forces. On March 16th, 1945 he was united in marriage to Helen J. Topps, his junior high sweetheart. They were married for 63 years and together they raised two children, Marianne and Raymond. Karl worked as a CPA and was the founder of Leppien and Company, with six offices in the Thumb of Michigan. Karl and Helen moved from Saginaw to Pigeon in 1957 where they resided until moving to Alma in 1979. In 1992 Karl retired and they moved to Arizona to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Karl was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Cross Lutheran Church in Pigeon, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Light of Christ Lutheran Church, Sun Lakes United Methodist Church and Arizona Community Church in Arizona. He served on the National Church Council for the ALCA. Karl was a member of the AVCI Board of Directors for 38 years. He was proud to be a Rotarian and served as the President of the Pigeon Club and later as the District Governor in 1984-85. Karl loved to support and entertain young people and with his wife Helen started the Laugh and Cry Club at Laker High School. He was a generous and loving man, who enjoyed writing poetry.

Karl went on to join his wife Helen with their Lord and Savior on January 26, 2012. Surviving are his sister Marguerite Schuetter; daughter Marianne Leppien-Oleson and son Raymond Leppien and wife Kelly; granddaughter Jennifer Oleson; grandson Parker Leppien; grandson David Oleson II and granddaughter Clarisse Leppien. His parents, five brothers and one sister and life-long friend Bob Jahn preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on February 4, 2012, at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road., Chandler, AZ in celebration of his reunion with his wife and his new birth to his eternal home. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to any of the following: American Heart Association; Disabled American Veterans; CHW Foundation East Valley for Chandler Regional Medical Center, 1727 West Frye Road, Suite 230, Chandler, AZ 85224 and the Rotary Foundation, in care of the Pigeon Rotary Club, Pigeon, MI 48755.

Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, Chandler, Arizona.