Michael W. Leonard

Michael W. Leonard, 76, of Spencer, passed away Sunday, May 11, 2025, at his home near Spencer. Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 16, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Inurnment will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Emmetsburg.

Mike, the son of John and Bernette (Donahue) Leonard, was born Feb. 11, 1949, in Emmetsburg. He attended the Emmetsburg Catholic School, graduating in 1968. Soon after graduation, Mike moved to the Spencer area raising a family and working for the rest of his life.

Over the years Mike was employed at various jobs. He worked for many years at Style Craft in Milford and recently retired from the Upper Des Moines Outreach program where he did maintenance and custodial work. Mike loved his work at school where he was well-known to joke around with the teachers and students.

Mike will be remembered as a loving father of five, brother and loyal friend who loved to tease and instigate some fun. There was always room at Mike’s house for a friend to stop by. Often you could find him restoring classic cars or working on an engine; he was a talented mechanic. If he wasn’t at home, he was out camping with his siblings and extended family where he was the first to start a water balloon fight amongst the kids or fix you a burger.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernette; sisters, Shirley Petersen and Jeanette Cooke; brother, Tom Leonard; and brothers-in-law, Ken Cooke and Rick Rouse.

He is survived by his children, Troy (Lesa) Leonard, of Anchorage, Alaska; Chad (Carrie) Leonard, of Tallahassee, Florida; Jared (Amber) Leonard, of Palmer, Alaska; Brad Leonard, of Redfield; and Kim (Bret) Maxwell, of Adel; special friend, Jennifer Sanderson, of Milford; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Pat (Joanne) Leonard, of Colorado; and Gary (Sandy) Leonard, of Emmetsburg; sisters, Deb Rouse, of Emmetsburg; and Annette (Rich) Gilman, of Golden, Colorado; brother-in-law, Delbert Petersen, of Estherville; sister-in-law, Susan Leonard, of Emmetsburg.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home, martinmatticefuneralhome.com.