Thursby Leise, 90, of Vinton, died Friday, February 5, 2010, at the Vinton Lutheran Home due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2010, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton with Pastor Loel Fink officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 9:30 until 11 a.m., also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton. Military rites will be performed by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton.
Thursby was born September 10, 1919, in Waukegan, Illinois, the son of John Adam and Bertha Gamby Leise. He graduated from high school in Waukegan. He served his country in the United States Army as a rigger and surveyor during WWII.
On June 24, 1972, Thursby was united in marriage with Nadine Kelley in Chicago.
Thursby’s father owned a house moving business in Waukegan, and Thursby, along with three of his brothers, worked with their dad. They later became heavy equipment machinery movers. Thursby retired from the business in 1989 and moved to Iowa with his family.
He was a member of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Vinton. He enjoyed tinkering and repairing items around home.
Thursby is survived by his wife, Nadine, of Vinton; two step-sons: Daniel (Lorraine) Kenney of Woodburn, OR, and Richard (Rachel) Waterbury of Vinton; two step-daughters: LaNette (Robert) Parker and Melissa Schumacher, both of Vinton; one brother: Fred (Sandy) Leise of McClellanville, SC; one sister: Ruth (Bill) Hasney of Waukegan, IL; 9 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: John and Peter Leise; and three sisters: Catherine Leise, Dorothy Kruse and Peggy Janus.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Harvest Christian Fellowship in Vinton.