LeRoy N. Neitzke

LeRoy was born to Edward and Elsie (Kilian) Neitzke on July 15, 1926 in the rural area near Wausau, Wisconsin. He grew up on the farm with his older brother Werner and sisters Irmgard and Enid. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church, a small rural church supporting the local farming community.

At the encouragement of his brother, he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1947 where he worked in various meat packing plants. He was a skilled butcher and a master with a knife, skills that he shared with family and friends.

He was drafted into the military in September 1950 and served his country with honor in the Korean War. He was a corporal in the army and received a purple heart from injuries obtained during the war. He was honorably discharged in June of 1952 and returned to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

While serving in the military, he received numerous cards and letters from Fraulene Erickson who he had met through church activities earlier in 1950. After returning, he continued that relationship that ultimately resulted in marriage on October 25, 1952. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, the church where they had met. This union was blessed with six children and lasted for nearly 65 years. Their life together was guided and centered around their faith in Jesus Christ.

In 1968, they moved to Denver, Colorado where LeRoy ultimately had a second career as a food equipment salesman for Robert G. Wood and Company. He enjoyed the connection to customers and this work enable him to use his knowledge and skills that he developed earlier in his life. In 1991, he retired from full time work and transitioned into helping Fraulene in her work of drapery manufacturing. Providing extra hands when needed, extra strength when required, picking up supplies and making deliveries were hallmarks of this partnership and demonstrated the love that he had for his helpmate. This extra help provided them means to enjoy various vacations and events throughout his retirement years.

Throughout his life, LeRoy enjoyed singing. Both he and Fraulene were members of various choirs which included the church choir at Redeemer Lutheran Church, where he was a member for 48 years. Additionally, he sang in the Lutheran Chorale for 30 years. Singing with the Chorale brought joy to him and others through numerous local concerts events and also numerous trips to various countries in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

More important that who he was, LeRoy recognized whose he was. He was a baptized child of God and recognized that he obtained his eternal victory through his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

He is survived by his wife, Fraulene (Erickson), sister Enid Schuster, children Doug (Lan) Neitzke, Anita (Steve) Mueller, Bruce (Joan) Neitzke, Greg (Kim) Neitzke, Melba (Bert) Trim, Brad (Tammy) Neitzke, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Elsie Neitzke and siblings Werner Neitzke and Irmgard Bartelt.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Tues. 10/3 at Olinger Crown Hill with services at 11:00am, Wednesday 10/4 at Redeemer Lutheran Church 3301 W. Nevada Place, Denver. He will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery with military honors by the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be given in LeRoy’s name to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3300 W. Nevada Place, Denver, Colorado 80219