Leonard Rudolph Brezina
Leonard Rudolph Brezina
Cedar Rapids
Leonard Rudolph Brezina, 89, of Cedar Rapids, entered into glory with the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Compass Memorial Hospital in Marengo, Iowa. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, where military rites will be conducted. Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at Brosh Chapel. Burial will be in Raetz Cemetery, west of Atkins.
Leonard was born May 24, 1933, in Montour, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Rose (Balvin) Brezina. Leonard served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate from 1951-1954. Leonard was very proud of his military service and serving his country. Leonard worked for Evergreen Packaging for 35 years and had many years of notable perfect work attendance. Leonard took great pride in his yard, flowers and garden, but the most joy was time spent with family. Leonard enjoyed his Czech heritage, love of kolaches and Sunday morning polka music. Leonard was a man of great faith who truly loved his Lord and Savior. He was a pillar of strength for his family, but he was also humble, kind, and tender-hearted.
Leonard was united in marriage to Janice Kotezy in 1957 and from this union he was blessed with three children. In 1988, he married Ingeborg Lerch. Leonard is survived by his wife, Ingeborg; children, Dorrance Brezina (Lori) of Urbandale, Iowa, Jonie Pickett (Jack) of Rockton, Ill., and Philip Brezina of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, stepdaughter, Lisa Loughry (Roger) of Marengo, Iowa, Allen Lerch of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Lance Lerch (Mary) of Crescent, Iowa; a granddaughter, Brooklyn Kretsinger (Wade) of Rockton, Ill.; grandson, Theodore Craig-Brezina (Megan) of Kailua, Hawaii; great grandchildren, Peyton, Reid and Brady; great-granddaughter, Gianna Kretsinger of Rockton, Ill.; 10 stepgrandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Gladys Brezina of Toledo, Iowa, Rosie Hartmeyer of Belle Plaine, Margie (Rodney) Emerson of Belle Plaine, Marcella (Jim) Cline of Swisher, Arlene (Bill) Tubbs of Swisher, Richard Brezina of Cedar Rapids, Caroline Zach of Guttenberg and Bernard (Sharon) Brezina of Tama; four sisters-in-law as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edward (Maisie) and Joe Brezina Jr.; sister, Lillian Lund; and dearest grandson, Benjamin Novotny.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.