Obituary of Leo Frank Ressler

MSgt Leo Frank Ressler (Opa) (December 5, 1923 - July 13, 2009) MSgt Leo Frank Ressler (Opa) died on Monday, July 13, 2009. He was 85 years old and died at home. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends when he passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. Leo was born on December 5, 1923, in Mandan, North Dakota. He was the eighth of fourteen children born to Frank Joseph Ressler and Clementine (Leingang) Ressler. Leo attended Catholic school until high school and always worked diligently as a teenager to help support his family. Leo joined the United States Army on January 31, 1943. He did his basic training at Camp Howze, Texas. He was then sent overseas to Germany to serve in World War II with the 86th Infantry Division and as an interpreter. During World War II, he also served in the Pacific Front in the Philippines. At the end of World War II, Leo reenlisted and was stationed in Munich, Germany, where he served in the 508th Military Police Service Battalion - Company B. He next moved to Denver, Colorado (Fitzsimons Hospital) where he started working in Special Services. His next duty station was Atterbury, Indiana (Camp Atterbury), where he also worked for Special Services. Leo next served in the Korean War with the Military Police Corps 3rd MP Company - 3rd Infantry Division, where he earned his highest military award which was the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He next worked in the Army Chemical Center in Aberdeen, Maryland. He then moved to La Rochelle, France, followed by Columbia, South Carolina (Fort Jackson), where he continued his work for the Special Services. Next he was stationed in Hanau, Germany, where he became a Supply Sergeant. His last duty station was Fort Lewis, Washington, where he helped to reactivate North Fort Lewis during the Vietnam War. After twenty-six years of serving his country, Leo retired at Fort Lewis, Washington, on October 2, 1968. His highest rank in the United States Army was Master Sergeant - E8. After his retirement in 1968, Leo enjoyed playing penny poker with his family. He was a member of the Tacoma Elks Lodge #174 and the American Legion. He also enjoyed watching football and boxing. On June 29, 1946, Leo met the love of his life while serving in the Army in Munich, Germany. Sieglinde was waiting for a streetcar to take her home. She had never been at that particular stop before. The streetcar never came, so she started walking home. As she was walking home, Leo was playing horseshoes with other soldiers. Leo approached Sieglinde, speaking to her in perfect German. This was the beginning of their life together. They were married on August 31, 1948, in Planegg, Germany. Their first daughter, Sieglinde Clementine, was born in Munich, Germany (1948). Their second daughter, Brigitte Margaret, was born in Denver, Colorado (1949). While Leo was serving in Korea, Sieglinde and the girls lived in Lemmon, South Dakota, near some of the Ressler family members. During his tour in Korea, Leola Marie, their third daughter, was born in South Dakota (1952). Leo and Sieglinde’s fourth daughter, Kathleen Ann, was born in Aberdeen, Maryland (1955). Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Joseph Ressler and Clementine (Leingang) Ressler; three sisters - Marie German, Ermie Peterson, Greta Swindler; and six brothers - Mike Ressler, Clemet (Sonny) Ressler, Al Ressler, Pete Ressler, and two that died at birth. Leo is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Sieglinde (Schelling) Ressler; four daughters - Linde (Herb) Heinold, Brigitte (Lothar) Nikolai, Leola (Bernard) Johnston, Kathleen (Gilbert) Moore; eight grandchildren - Tonya (Brian) Narramore, Herbie (Kari) Heinold, Heidi (Trinidad) Gutierrez, Steven (Marci) Nikolai, Robert (Allison) Moore, Karri (Josh) Heinold-Popp, Tara (Jeremy) Dummler, Rita (Charles) Freed; ten great grandchildren - Jordan Narramore, Ryan Gutierrez, Emilee Nikolai, Rebecca Moore, Raiden Moore, Nikolas Narramore, Haylee Nikolai, Carter Dummler, Benjamin Freed, Christopher Freed; three sisters - Bernetta Monroe, Valeria Iverson, Sister Denise Ressler; one brother - James Ressler; and numerous extended family members and friends. A Memorial Service with full military honors will be held Monday, July 20, 2009, at 10:15 AM. The service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 South East 240th Street, Kent/Covington, Washington, 98042. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Franciscan Hospice (www.hospice.FHShealth.org). We would like to thank the Franciscan Hospice for the care they provided in Leo’s last few days. The Ressler family would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Madigan Army Medical Center. All Leo wanted in life was to be happy and love his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a kind, hard-working man, and military hero. Leo will forever be in our hearts and he will always be remembered as a selfless person. A yearly celebration that he enjoyed every Fall was the family Oktoberfest. When Leo visited Tahoma National Cemetery in late 2005, he asked what the different memorial plaques read. He stated that he wanted his marker to read Oktoberfest Forever! He reminded us of this in his last few days and his request was of course granted. Auf Wiedersehen Dad, Opa, Uri Opa! We will think of you and miss you every day! WALK IN SUNSHINE May you always walk in sunshine and God’s love around you flow. For the happiness you gave us, no one will ever know. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you the day God called you home. A million times we’ve needed you. A million times we’ve cried. If love could only have saved you, you never would have died. The Lord be with you and may you rest in peace.