John E Leas

North Mankato Mortuary - NORTHVIEW
507-388-2288

John Leas, age 85 of North Mankato, died suddenly on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in Mankato with Rev. Dawn Carder officiating. Visitation will be Monday, May 30, from 4-7 p.m. at North Mankato Mortuary " NORTHVIEW, and will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Heart Association or First Presbyterian Church.

John Elmer Leas was born March 17, 1926 to Roy and Bernice (Cahill) Leas in Cleghorn, IA. He attended school in Slayton, MN before serving in the US Navy from 1945-1946. On February 26, 1949 he married Edythe Williams. John was employed as a crane operator for most of his working years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the 49ers Union, the Mankato VFW, and was Commander of the Eagle Lake American Legion. He served as deacon and usher at First Presbyterian and rarely missed church. John loved fishing, playing cards (especially Cribbage), the Minnesota Vikings, visiting his friends at "the circle" on Fridays, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events and school activities.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edythe; 2 daughters, Rebekah (Larry) Barnes of St. Peter, Mona (Dennis) Johnson of North Mankato; 5 grandchildren, Troy (Heather) Barnes, Marni (David) Martin, Scott Johnson, Chad Johnson, Tara (Andy) Fitch; 2 great-grandchildren, Justice and Cash Martin; niece, Loretta Williams; 4 nephews, Murray (Jan) Osten, Ster (Sheila) Monroe, Stan Monroe, Dane Williams.

John was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Dorothy Suedbeck and Betty Gangler; 3 half-brothers, Walter, Wayne and Clarence Leas.