LEON J. VASEK 1943 – 2022
Leon Jerome Vasek, 79, of Navasota, completed a well-lived life, passing away at home in Brenham on Thursday, November 17, 2022 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
A gathering of family and friends was held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11323 County Road 304, in Stoneham. A parish rosary followed at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass was celebrated 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Edward C. Kucera, Jr. as the celebrant. A luncheon followed in the parish hall. The rite of committal took place 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 22, in the St. Joseph Church Cemetery in Moulton, TX. Arrangements are with Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home of Navasota.
Serving as pallbearers were Ben Bosse, Sam McElreath, Paul Panus, Glen Scheidt, Greg Scheidt, Ben Buchanan and Craig Bolcerek.
Leon was born on February 26, 1943 in Moulton, Texas to Jerome Joseph and Helen Lillie Zidek Vasek. Leon was a life-long member of the Catholic Church, and his character was grounded in a devout and personal faith. He graduated from Moulton High School in 1961 and was an All-State Basketball Player and leader in Future Farmers of America. Leon attended Victoria Junior College on scholarship to continue his education and play basketball. He proudly graduated from Texas A&M University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.
After graduation, Leon served his country during the Vietnam War as a 1st Lieutenant and Engineer Officer in the United States Army, stationed in Neu Ulm, Germany from 1966 to 1969. While serving in Germany, Leon met and fell in love with Sheryl Lindskov, of Isabel, South Dakota, who was working abroad at a Research Hospital.
The couple were united in Holy Matrimony on May 3, 1969 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Isabel, South Dakota and were happily married for 53 wonderful years. Leon and Sheryl made their home in Navasota, Texas where he spent his entire career as Ranch Manager of Lawridge Farm from 1969 until his retirement in 2013. They were blessed with two children, Ginger and Jeff.
Education was very important to Leon, and he served proudly on the Navasota School Board for fifteen years. He was also active in the Grimes County Fair Association. Leon enjoyed volunteering his time and many talents for the benefit of local youth and his church community. In later years, he utilized his leatherworking talents, braiding bull whips he donated to local organizations, for their fundraising auctions.
Throughout their married life, Leon and Sheryl enjoyed traveling together. Whether a Sunday drive on the dirt roads of Grimes County, or an Alaskan cruise, Leon loved exploring the world with endless curiosity. After retirement, the couple loved spending their time between their homes in Navasota and Brenham, where their grandchildren, Tori and Ben, were, and Leon’s family farm in Moulton.
Leon is survived by his loving wife Sheryl, son Jeffrey Leon Vasek of Navasota, daughter Virginia Vasek Bosse of Brenham and husband Kevin Bosse, beloved grandchildren, Victoria Grace Bosse and fiancée Samuel McElreath and Ben William Bosse, all of Brenham, sister Leonita Panus of Shiner, and sisters and brothers-in-law Judy and Kenneth Lindskov, Marsha and Roger Weiss, and Cindy and A.J. Lindskov, all of South Dakota.
He is preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Wilma and Arthur Lindskov and brothers-in-law Gary Lindskov and Joseph Panus.
The family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers Rebecca Lattimore, Lilly Webb, Rosie Turner, Jocelyn Scurryand Hospice Brazos Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stoneham, PO Box 388, Plantersville, TX 77363, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moulton, 601 N. Pecan St., Moulton, TX 77975 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 E Blue Bell Rd, Brenham, TX 77833.
You are invited to sign the guestbook and leave condolences for the family at www.lindleyrobertsonholt.com.