Leo Bernard Yelle Sr.

Leo was a sweet man, who remained active late into life, always willing to help family and friends, and with a smile on his face that reinforced his positive attitude.

Leo was born May 3, 1928, in Marquette, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Armelia (LaCourse) Yelle. The family moved to a farm in Sands, Michigan, when Leo was a young boy, and he grew up there during the Great Depression. He graduated from Negaunee High School in 1946, after which he went into the Army Air Force as World War II was just ending. However, Leo contracted rheumatic fever on the way to post-war occupation of Japan and was honorably discharged without seeing any action.

Leo then took a job with the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked in the railway mail service and highway post office from 1948-1967, and then as a clerk and foreman of mails until 1983. Leo had a heart attack at the age of 55, which led to his early retirement. He then focused on taking better care of himself by eating a healthier diet and becoming more physically active. Leo was passionate about sharing his journey for the benefit of others, publishing a short digital book available on Amazon entitled “Life After a Heart Attack: How Lifestyle Changes Helped Me Live a Full Life.”

Retirement did not mean Leo sat around all day. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Leo entered the world of the self-employed, owning and managing several apartment buildings in the Green Bay area. He used his handyman skills to perform many maintenance tasks himself, and enjoyed building a variety of projects large and small for family and friends.

Leo moved to Milwaukee in the early 1950s, where he met and married Anne Fuchela, and the couple moved to Green Bay a few years later. After their divorce in 1988, Leo met Leona Berggren and they married in 1992, creating a loving extended family. He loved spending time with family members of all generations.

Leo was involved in many types of activities, including woodworking, cooking, playing cards with friends and participating in various sports. He especially enjoyed bowling, participating in league play until the age of 92. He volunteered with the Literacy Council in Green Bay, was a past member of Toastmasters, president of the Apartment Association of Northeast Wisconsin, and even presented a class entitled “Writing Your Memoirs” for Learning in Retirement for 10 years. He was a long-time fan of the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers.

Leo will be deeply missed by his family. He is survived by his current wife; Leona (Berggren) Yelle, and his first wife; Anne (Fuchela) Yelle, sons and stepsons; Leo Yelle Jr., Royal (Vicki) Berggren and their children; Shawna (Nate) Giese and Christine (Bill) Kolgan, Randy (Linda) Berggren and their children; Kaitlin (Matt) Dunford, daughters and stepdaughters; Lynn (Curtis) Boger and their children; Timothy (Elizabeth) Boger and Bryan (Abigail) Boger, Debra Friar and her children; Ava, Reese and Arden Friar; Lynnette (Sean) Clancy and their children; Aliana and Annaliese Clancy, great-granddaughters; Peyton Giese, great-grandsons; Noah and Ezra Boger, William Dunford, Alex and Trevor Nelson, great-great- grandson; Lucas Nelson; sister-in-law; Tina Yelle, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Joseph and Armelia (LaCourse) Yelle, and his siblings; Leroy, Celeste (Tony), Eileen (Joseph), Rhea (Willho), Clare, and Earl (Charlotte).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ASPIRO on behalf of Leo.

Family and friends will gather at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1301 S. Ridge Rd., from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 20; Service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, in Menominee, Michigan.

Thanks to the wonderful care given at Woodside Villa 1 and Unity Hospice.