Leon G. Hyke, age 70, died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at the Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa, after a long battle with cancer.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco, with burial in the Holy Trinity Cemetery at Protivin. Rev. David Beckman will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco.
Leon Gerald Hyke was born on January 25, 1938, in Howard County, Iowa, the son of Clem and Elsie (Phillips) Hyke. He attended rural school near his home and later in life earned his GED. After his schooling, he worked on the farm with his dad and uncle. On August 16, 1961, he was inducted into the Army and was discharged July 17, 1963. Before leaving for the Army, he had started working at John Deere in Waterloo, and when he returned from serving he returned to that job. He worked for John Deere until his health forced his retirement.
On June 20, 1964, he was united in marriage to Elaine Samec at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes, Iowa. To this union two children were born: Shelly and Doug.
When Leon wasn’t working at John Deere, he would restore cars. He was also an avid fisherman, and at anytime could tell you how many fish he had caught and how many pounds of fish were in the freezer. He was a handy man, who built several garages and could fix anything. He was a strong man inside and out. Leon liked to help his friends and family but never asked for help for himself. He loved his family, especially his grandkid. He showed thisby the fact that he would do anything for them.
Leon is survived by his wife: Elaine of Elk Run Heights, one daughter: Shelly (Todd) Hansen of Holland, IA and one son: Doug (Vicki) of Evansdale, IA, five grandchildren: Nicholas and Kayla Hansen and Alexis, Madison, and Jessica Hyke; two sisters: Joyce (Larry) Aukes of North Carolina and Kathleen Hyke (Gordy Wilson) of Bullhead City, AZ; four brothers: Roger (Gladys) Hyke, Don (Barb) Hyke, and Steve (Kathy) Hyke all of Rochester, MN; and Dave (Brenda) Hyke of Stewartville, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Rodney Hyke as an infant.