LeRoy Herman Kapelka

KING, Wis. - LeRoy Herman Kapelka, 96, long-time resident of Montreal, Wis., passed away Oct. 25, 2017, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King with his family at his side.

LeRoy was the first born of four children to Herman and Ruth (Fitzsimmons) Kapelka, in Sauk City, Wis. At the age of 7, Leroy's family moved to Baraboo, Wis., where he grew up. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s.

On Oct. 15, 1940, he was inducted into the Army Company H, 128th Infantry, 32nd Red Arrow Division and sent to Australia in April 1942, New Guinea and the South Pacific Islands from September 1942-June 1943. He was transferred to Europe in December 1944 with Company D, First Battalion, 318th Infantry, 80th Division, went from Luxembourg to Germany, and had frozen feet in a battle in 1945. He was returned to a stateside hospital in San Antonio, Texas, then released from the Army as a decorated soldier on Aug. 14, 1945, and returned to his hometown of Baraboo.

On Sept. 29, 1945, he married the love of his life, his "fraulein," Mary Sebero. They were married 70 years before her passing in February 2016. Together, they raised five children, the late Leon (Mary) Sebero, of North Carolina, Lewis (late Audrey) Kapelka, of Ironwood, Linda (Thomas) Clendenning, of Plainfield, Wis., Lana (Donald) Sherman, of Nekoosa, Wis., and Loren (Bonnie) Kapelka, of Custer, Wis.

LeRoy is survived by two brothers, Lester (Janie) Kapelka, Columbus, Ga., Lloyd (Betty) Kapelka, Chicago, and one sister, Laveta (Sis) (Kenneth) Vertein of Baraboo; 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

LeRoy was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman who will be fondly remembered for his humor, witty quips and quotes, card tricks with the grandkids, and card games with the family.

A private family memorial was held Saturday, Oct. 28, at Maple Crest Funeral Home in Waupaca, Wis., prior to his cremation. Internment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wis.