Leon Vincent Fiedler

Leon Vincent Fiedler, age 76 of Remsen, IA peacefully entered into rest on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at his home in Remsen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Fr. Timothy Pick officiating, Fr. Andy Galles concelebrating and Deacon Doug Heeren assisting. Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 3328 and American Legion Post 220 of Remsen.  Visitation with family present will be 4 - 7 p.m. on Friday. There will be a parish rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. Visitation will resume 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Services have been entrusted to the Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.  Rosary, vigil service and funeral will be live streamed at www.fischfh.com

Leon was born October 18, 1946 to Arnold and Kathryn “Kitty” (Kilker) Fiedler in Oyens, IA.  Leon was born the fourth of ten siblings. As a child, Leon enjoyed helping Grandpa John and Uncle Vince on the farm.  In 1955, the family moved to Remsen.  He also grew up with an avid interest in cars - he especially loved his white ‘57 Chevy and he religiously washed and waxed his vehicles every Sunday. 

Leon attended Remsen St. Mary’s until 8th grade, where the Sisters of St. Francis knew him well.  After completing his education, he entered the workforce where he continued to help on the farm and was employed at Well’s Dairy in LeMars. 

Better known as Fid, Leon joined the US Army on Oct 26,1965.  Some of the greatest years of his life were spent fixing tanks in Germany.  He met some of his best friends and had some great adventures visiting local pubs.  He finished his service overseas in October, 1968, and continued his service in the Army Reserves until October, 1971. 

After his time serving his country, he worked at Wilson’s in Cherokee, IA, and spent quality time fixing tractors with his dear friend Jim Krier, at Jim’s Repair. 

This friendship led Fid to meet Janet Arens, whom he married on October 23, 1971.  Together, they had five children: Melissa (Alan) Harnack, Sandy (Dan) Prentis, Stacie (deceased), Heath (Nicole), and Gina (Jeremy) Stukenholtz.  Losing his daughter Stacie in 1997 was an incredibly difficult part of his life.  

Fid eventually owned his own business: Fid’s Feed Supply.  During these years, he enjoyed days filled with coffee, cards, and friends.  He loved going on cattle-buying trips in South Dakota.  

Fid was a proud and active member of St. Mary’s Church, where he was usually the first to arrive for Saturday evening mass.  He was a member of Catholic Order of Foresters and was the successful Tail Twister of the Remsen Lion’s Club. 

Fid was quite a jokester - always ready with a bit of sass and sarcasm.  He never knew a stranger, and was quick to make friends every new place he found himself.  Fid was reluctant to “retire” from his 20-year career as the Saturday night bartender at the Golden Pheasant.

Throughout his life, Fid found extreme joy in gardening and feeding birds.  His garden vegetables could be found in canning jars in basements of many ladies all around town.  As the years of his life grew, so did the size of his garden. 

Leon is survived by his wife, Janet, four children with their spouses, and eleven grandchildren: Reece (Amanda) Harnack, Peyton (Jordan) Dee, Drew and David Prentis, Emerson, Mallory and Owen Fiedler, and Madelyn, Isaac, Noah and Quentin Stukenholtz; plus four great grandchildren Adalynn and Raylen De Wild, and Blakely and Baylor Dee. He is also survived by siblings Father Loyd, LaVonne (Jim) Galles, Mary (Pat) Loutsch, Rose Ann Fiedler, Karen (Craig) Bartolozzi, Kay (Henry) Campbell, Marlene Gallardo and one sister-in-law Karen (Robert) Fiedler.

Leon was joyfully reunited in heaven with his beloved daughter, Stacie, his parents Arnold and Kathryn Fiedler, in-laws Kenneth and Elvira Arens, his brothers Ronald (Kay) Fiedler, and Robert Fiedler, and a grandson Chase Harnack. 

Casket bearers will be Reece Harnack, Peyton Dee, Drew & David Prentis, Madelyn Stukenholtz and Emersen Fiedler. 

Honorary bearers will be Isaac, Noah and Quentin Stukenholtz, Mallory and Owen Fiedler.  Also the Catholic Order of Foresters.