Leon "Lee" Hansmeier

Leon “Lee” A. Hansmeier, 75, of Waukon died Sunday, December 8, 2019 at his home. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 14 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon with visitation from 12-3:30 p.m., followed by a prayer service, time for sharing memories of Lee, a luncheon, and music with karaoke following. Burial will take place at a later date in Oakland Cemetery in Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements for the family.

Leon “Lee” Alfred Hansmeier was born April 4, 1944 in Waukon, the son of Alfred “Red” and Bernice (Zieman) Hansmeier. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church and graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1962 in Waukon. January 2, 1965, he married Sue (Peterson) Hansmeier and the couple made their home in Waukon.

He owned and operated several businesses throughout his lifetime including Lee’s Citgo, Hansmeier Trucking, Hansmeier Truck & Trailer, Hansmeier Towing Service, and Echo Valley Speedway and Banquet Center; he was also a deputy for the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department for a short time, worked for Fred Carlson Company as a foreman, and Norplex as a driver.

He was also an active member for several terms on the Allamakee County Fair Board and served as president, helping to refurbish and renew the local fairgrounds and county fair. More recently in his retirement, he enjoyed doing handyman work and working on home improvement projects.

Lee really enjoyed racing and getting to know everyone he came in contact with. He was truly a people person who enjoyed sharing many a tall tale of stories seeming to be unbelievable, but most of them true.

Lee is survived by his four children: Annette Hansmeier of Waukon, Troy (Joy) Hansmeier of Waukon, Mike Hansmeier of Lisbon and Kim (Neil) Kregel of Waterville; seven grandchildren: Paul Hansmeier, Desiree and Dallas Kregel, Drew and Chance Hillman, Christopher Fee and Heather Berger; four great-grandchildren: Maxwell and Brinnlee Roney, Charlotte Hillman and Vivian Rae Fee; a sister, Ann (Tom) Kerkenbush of Evansville, WI; and his sisters-in-law: Judy (Arlo) Tweeten of Harland, MN, Janet Purvis of Ashville, TN and Gladys Roberts of Stoughton, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Sue, who died in 2014.

Honorary casketbearers are Gabriel Bahr, Wayne Barness, Steve Christianson, Dennis Cook, Dale Dahlstrom, Lee Folsom, Kevin Johnson, Gary and Gordy Kaeser, Dominic Damiano, Merle Lehey, Stan Looney, Laura (Doug) Rosson, Cletus Sommer, Dick Sullivan, Jan Sweeney and Mike Wester.

Casketbearers are Lee’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.