Victor Leppke, 87, died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. He was born on May 8, 1933, the youngest child of Fred T. Leppke and Martha (Roske) Leppke, who shared more than 50 years of marriage.

Victor was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member and served as trustee, sexton, and usher for many years. Victor spent his career farming with his brothers Ed and Harry.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army just after the armistice was signed in 1953. Upon his honorable discharge in 1955, he used his Army money to buy a new Ford. But he never forgot how unpleasant the chow was.

He loved going walleye fishing with his brothers and his good friend, Ordell Zietlow, who often helped Victor drive to antique tractor shows for his restoration hobby. Victor was also an avid, and usually successful, deer hunter; in fact, he’d already bought his deer tag for 2020. For Victor and his brothers, the prospect of a yearly hunt in northern Minnesota or Montana made the long hours of each harvest go a little faster.

He loved spending time working in his well-organized shop tinkering and building—just one example of his ingenuity is a still-used snowblower he created using an old combine. He was particularly proud of his ham radio license, which he’d put lots of time and effort into obtaining.

After retiring, Victor and his brother Ed planned their week around a Tuesday gathering at the Boyd Senior Center for fiercely competitive pinochle, good food, and treasured friendships.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents; sister Lydia (Erhardt) Koepp; brothers Arnold (Elna) Leppke, Edmund Leppke, and Harry Leppke, and nephews Donald Leppke, Virgil Koepp, and Lyle Leppke.

He is survived by his nephews Dennis (Sheila) Koepp and Arlen (Julie) Koepp; nieces-in-law, Mary Hoffman and Ruth Leppke, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Victor will be missed by so many—especially those he helped over the years with his gift for making anything mechanical sing.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 2 PM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Omro Township.