John Leise, age 81, of St. James, NE, died on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church in Wynot with Rev. Michael Keating officiating. Burial will be in the Sts Philip and James Cemetery in St. James, NE. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00pm on Thursday with a Vigil Service at 7:30 pm at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Friday at the church under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be Gary Lammers, Randy Leise, Francis Gubbels, Allen Leise, Bob Leise, and Alphonse "Pete" Jansen.

John was born on November 27, 1926 at St. James to John J. and Bernadine (Peitz) Leise. He lived his whole life on the Leise homeplace where he farmed with his brothers Norbert and Walter for many years. He was a former member of the Sts Philip and James Catholic Church in St. James and currently is a member of the Holy Family (Sacred Heart) Catholic Church in Wynot.

John is survived by 2 sisters; Amelia Lammers of Hartington, Theresa Gubbels of Hartington, 3 brothers; Frank and Viola Leise of Hartington, Albert and Loretta Leise of Denver, Norbert Leise of St. James, and a sister in law, JoAnn Leise of Hartington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Walter, Anthony, and Leonard Leise, an infant sister Ida Leise, 2 brothers in law, Gerhard Lammers and Francis Gubbels Sr. and a sister in law, Julia Leise.