Leo R. Coonen, age 72, of Waupaca, WI, formerly of Little Chute, WI, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015 at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI.
He was born in Little Chute, on May 21, 1943, a son of the late Elmer and Ruth (Gerard) Coonen. He married Sandra Bevers on August 17, 1963 in Little Chute. Leo was an amazing auto body repairman out of his shop in Little Chute, Cash TX and lastly, Hwy 22, south of Waupaca. He repaired and brought back to life many show cars and his brother Don’s pick up truck. Many of these taking first place at many Auto Shows, city, state and even nationals. He loved to be on his Kawasaki 1300 touring bike with his wife Sandy riding alone on her own bike or in the later years, riding shotgun behind him on his bike, making wonderful memories together. He also loved to go sailing on the lakes in Waupaca with his son Jeff, and his two granddaughters, Nicole and Hannah.
Leo will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Sandra Coonen, Waupaca, WI, and their children, Jeff (Theresa) Coonen, Pine River, WI, and their children, Nicole and Hannah Coonen; Dan (Deanna) Coonen, Menasha, WI, and his children, Kevin, Issac and Lance; Jay Coonen, Gwinn, MI, and his children, Alex, Joshua and Molly; sisters and brothers: Geraldine (Bob) Fischer, Phoenix, AZ; Carolyn (Bud Goodrich) Wozniak, Mt. Pleasant, WI; David “Brother Jordan” Coonen, Denver, CO; Gordan Coonen, Denver, CO; Paul (Dianne) Coonen, Stockbridge, WI; Don (Pat) Coonen, Appleton, WI; Alice (Bill) Erdman, Kaukauna, WI. He is further survived by his wife’s brother, Donald Bevers, Pennsgrove, NJ; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Kathy Coonen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Josephine (Jansen) Bevers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wally Wozniak, LaVern Mathis and her husband Jacob, Betty Verstegen and her husbands Jerry and Spike, Les Bevers and his wife Betty, Catherine Bevers, and a niece, Gail Balthazor.
A Celebration of Life for Leo will be held at his home (N685 Hwy 22, south of Waupaca) on Saturday, July 25, 2015, starting at 2 p.m. This celebration will include a short prayer service, sharing of memories of a life well lived and enjoyed. Following the service, light food and refreshments will be served. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements