Leonard Wadas
March 10, 1933 - January 11, 2024
Obituary
Verona - Leonard F Wadas, 90, of Verona passed away on January 11, 2024, at Hebron Oaks of Oakwood Village, Madison, WI. Len was born to Frank and Veronica (Koziol) Wadas on March 10, 1933, at home in Elyria, Nebraska. He was the 9th of 11 children, raised on the family farm in rural Nebraska. The family later left the farm and moved to St Paul, NE. He graduated from high school in St Paul.
Following high school and a short stint in business school, Len started a career with the JCPenney Company in Columbus, NE. His first big transfer with JCP took him to Pipestone, MN. At a local church dance, Len met Bernice Gentrup and on September 1, 1956, they were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wisner, NE. They started a family soon after. Len’s JCP career moved his family all over the Midwest including Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. After 39 years with JCP and 11 store transfers (all promotions), Len retired. He and Bernice enjoyed worldwide travels before settling first in Lincoln, NE, and then Verona.
Len was often involved with his local community. He held the position of local United Way president, and was an active member and volunteer with Chambers of Commerce, Jaycees, Lions Club, Elks, SCORE, Knights of Columbus, Serra, Catholic Charities, and the Society of St Vincent de Paul. He volunteered for years at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Lincoln. Len loved talking with people, especially those he had not met before- sometimes embarrassing his kids and resulting in delays.
Known for his “Leonardisms,” one of his favorites was “tastes like ice cream” (when it did not). He loved donuts, cinnamon rolls, and cheese puffs. He liked polkas and classic country music, and reveled in others’ reactions to his quick and sometimes goofy wit.
Len is survived by his children, Mike and Denise (Bloomberg) of Land O Lakes, FL, David and Kim (Hamilton) of Kalamazoo, MI, Carol Grob (Chad) of Cross Plains, WI, Doug and Louise (Hipskind) of Greenville, SC, Diane of Madison, WI, Brian and Courtney (Duke) of Houston, TX, and Kim Vercauteren (Nate) of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Ryan, Jennifer, Jeff, Steven, Michelle, Brandon, Adam, Grace, Jake, Benjamin, and Katelyn; great grandchildren, Luke, Ellie, Eli, Caleb, Theo and Lila; many siblings-in-laws; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Bernice, his parents; brothers Fred, Henry, Stanley, Ray, and Constantine; sisters Florence Moraczewski, Agnes Kinser, Lauretta, Matilda Schenck, and Evelyn Whetstone; infant son Charles; and grandchildren, Mark, Kevin, and Sarah.
A Mass of Christian Burial with luncheon to follow will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S Owen St, Madison, with Father Jay Poster presiding. A short visitation will precede the Mass at 9:30 AM. A visitation and rosary will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, January 26, 2024, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona. Burial will follow luncheon at the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Verona.
The Wadas Family extends special thanks to caregivers Craig Larsen, Vyanka Garcia, volunteer Stanley York, and the staff of Oakwood Village for their dedicated care and compassion. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Drive
608-845-6625